France celebrates Bastille Day in shadow of worst riots in 20 years

The Independent
1 年前
France has celebrated Bastille Day in the shadow of the worst riots in 20 years.The celebrations marking the start of the French Revolution on July 14 1789 came after the nation’s most serious rioting for nearly 20 years, following the fatal police shooting of a teenager with North African roots that laid bare anger over entrenched inequality and racial discrimination.Fighter jets and military helicopters on Friday flew above the site where 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk was killed last month in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, on their way towards the Arc de Triomphe and the VIP guests watching the parade.India was the guest of honour at this year’s Bastille Day parade, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi watching alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.About 240 Indian troops led the march down the Champs-Elysees before thousands of French forces, and French-made Indian warplanes joined the aerial display.PA