The violence — originally concentrated in neighborhoods northeast of Paris with large immigrant populations — has spread across France, extending west to the rolling fields of Normandy and south to resort cities on the Mediterranean. Attacks were reported in Cannes and Nice.
So is this an explosion of unrest over social injustice or an uprising of people who do not and never will consider themselves part of France?
This is an important question since police restraint to contain the violence, political talks to ease tensions, and the promise of more money will help quell riots of frustration and despair. But if this is an uprising, concessions will only convince the people rebelling that France is weak and worthy of only defeat.
But if this is violence that springs from hatred and Islamist desires to create a liberated zone in France, then the French need to send in the army and defeat the attackers who want only victory and not justice. Yet if the military attacks people who are really rioters, they risk permanently alienating people who would otherwise be willing to consider themselves French.
I have no idea what the problem is. Does the French government know?
