Paris, France - The French government has deployed 45,000 police officers to quell riots that have erupted in Paris and other cities across the country. The riots began on Saturday night after a police officer shot and killed a 17-year-old boy in the suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois.
The boy, identified as Adama Traore, was reportedly fleeing from police when he was shot. Police say Traore was carrying a knife, but witnesses say he was unarmed.
The shooting sparked widespread anger and protests in the Paris suburbs, where many people feel that police target young people of African descent. The protests quickly turned violent, with rioters setting fire to cars, buildings, and businesses.
The government has responded by deploying thousands of police officers to the affected areas. Police have used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the rioters, but the violence has continued.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has warned that the next few hours are "decisive" in the effort to quell the riots. He has called on the rioters to "stop this violence" and "listen to reason."
The riots have raised concerns about the simmering racial tensions in France. The country has a long history of discrimination against people of African descent, and the shooting of Adama Traore has only served to highlight these tensions.
The government is under pressure to address the underlying causes of the riots, but it remains to be seen whether it will be able to do so. The next few hours could be critical in determining the future of the protests.
