In France, the death of a 17-year-old has led to serious protests. Meanwhile, the President is attending a concert – and is receiving criticism online.
After a police officer in France shot dead a 17-year-old on Tuesday evening, protests against police violence escalated there. There have already been more than 600 arrests, and around 40,000 officers were deployed across the country. Amid the chaos, French President Emmanuel Macron apparently attended a concert by singer Elton John on Wednesday – drawing much criticism.
A video circulated on social media showing Macron and his wife Brigitte dancing to the music at an event. According to the British “Telegraph”, the Elysée Palace did not confirm that these were recordings from Wednesday – but a picture of John’s partner David Furnish fuels the suspicion that the President and his wife actually attended the concert.
“wrong time”
Furnish posted a photo of himself, Elton John and the Macrons to Instagram on Thursday. “Backstage in Paris,” he wrote. Numerous negative comments accumulated under the post. “France is on fire and the President is going to the Elton John concert,” it said. “Wrong timing,” commented another user. In total, singer Elton John played three concerts in Paris: on June 21, 27 and 28.
On Tuesday, 17-year-old Nahel M. was shot dead in the driver’s seat of a car during a traffic check in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. Video showed the police officer aiming his gun at the driver and firing at point-blank range as the car suddenly accelerated.
Protests then broke out – including looting, burning cars and devastation (read more about the riots here). Macron’s alleged concert visit took place one day after the teenager’s death.
