NEWS WIRES
Thu 10 October 2024
Authorities in Martinique will ban protests and impose a new curfew after fresh riots over rising prices led to one death, 26 officers injured, and looted stores. Violent protests over high food prices have rocked the island of 350,000, with tensions reigniting Monday after a brief lull.
Authorities in the French Caribbean island of Martinique on Thursday plan to ban protests and declare a new curfew after fresh riots over spiralling prices saw one person killed by gunshot, 26 officers injured and stores looted, a source in the administration told AFP.
In recent weeks the island of 350,000 people has been shaken by violent protests over high food prices. After ebbing for some days, tensions erupted again on Monday.
During a fresh night of troubles from Wednesday to Thursday, protesters looted shops, erected burning barricades and clashed with police.
The local prefecture said one man died of his wounds after being shot, but that police did not open fire during the night.
The wounded man was discovered by police responding to reports of looting at a shopping centre in the town of Robert. The victim was declared dead in hospital and a probe was launched, the prefecture said.
According to a source close to the case, the person was allegedly the victim of a settling of scores between rioters.
As a result of the latest bout of violence, the Martinique prefect, Jean-Christophe Bouvier, planned to order a curfew from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am (0100 GMT - 0900 GMT) as of Thursday and ban all protests and gatherings across the territory, a source at the prefecture told AFP.
(AFP)
One killed as protests over high cost of living in Martinique turn violent
Associated Press
Thu 10 October 2024
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Protests over the high cost of living in the French Caribbean island of Martinique turned violent late Wednesday, with at least one person killed as demonstrators set fire to a police station, cars and road barricades as they clashed with officers.
It was one of the most violent nights yet since protests began more than a month ago, with the government issuing a statement asserting that no police officers used their weapons and that the killing was under investigation.
Videos posted on social media showed protesters looting grocery stores and other businesses as they threw rocks and bottles at police, who responded with tear gas.
The latest round of violence prompted the government to announce another curfew as it stressed that demonstrations on public roads were prohibited.
The protests erupted a day before the government had scheduled a meeting with citizens to talk about how to achieve affordable prices for basic goods.
On Tuesday, Didier Laguerre, the mayor of Fort-de-France, the island's capital, issued a statement announcing Thursday's meeting and saying he recognized that many in Martinique are struggling and that their demands are legitimate.
“I understand the suffering and anger,” he wrote. “I know everyone’s impatience and the resignation of those who have lost hope for a long time.”
As a result of the ongoing protests, a special unit of French riot police deployed to Martinique, which is an overseas administrative department of France.
Social unrest is nothing new for the island, with previous protests sparked by simmering anger over what demonstrators say is economic, social and racial inequality.
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