The Video of Animals Roaming the Streets Predates the Riots in France
The Claim
A video shows animals roaming the streets of Paris after rioters broke into the zoo and released them.
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Emerging story
Social media users recently widely shared a video that allegedly shows animals roaming the streets of Paris after rioters broke into the zoo and released them.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating video and found the claim to be misleading. The video dates back to at least 2020.
After conducting a reverse image search, Misbar’s team found that the same video had been shared by French media outlets back in 2020, as can be seen below.
Animals In the Streets of France During Lockdown
During the COVID-19 lockdown back in 2020, the tranquil streets of Boissy-Saint-Léger, a small town in France with a population of fifteen thousand, were unexpectedly graced by the presence of two wandering deer. The typically busy streets, made vacant due to the ongoing lockdown, provided these forest creatures an opportunity to deviate from their usual paths within the wooded estate of Piple Castle.
A few days earlier, an equally unusual sight unfolded just a few kilometers away between Chennevières and Champigny-sur-Marne. A zebra and two ponies were caught on camera playfully romping around. Unlike the deer, the presence of these domestic animals was not a by-product of the lockdown but rather a case of a fortunate escape. These three animals had managed to break free from their enclosure at a nearby circus, making the most of their brief taste of freedom.
Riots Rock France Before Funeral of Nahel, the Teenager Shot by Police
The tragic incident involving the shooting of Nahel M, a teenager whose death at the hands of the police sparked widespread unrest, has plunged France into a state of turmoil. As the nation prepares for Nahel's funeral, violent protests have erupted in the Paris suburb where the shooting occurred, leading to a chaotic and tense atmosphere.
To address the escalating crisis, the French government has taken unprecedented measures, mobilizing a staggering force of 45,000 police officers and deploying armored vehicles. President Emmanuel Macron, facing one of the most significant challenges to his leadership since the "Yellow Vest" demonstrations in 2018, has made the difficult decision to postpone his planned state visit to Germany.
Police Violence and Racial Discrimination in France
The incident, captured on video, has reignited long-standing grievances surrounding police violence and racial discrimination within marginalized urban communities. Despite this, President Macron has consistently denied the existence of systemic racism within French law enforcement agencies.
Unrest in France Spreads: Buildings Ablaze and Stores Looted
The riots have spread throughout France, with buildings set on fire and numerous stores looted. Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Strasbourg, and Lille have all experienced the impact of the unrest. Over 200 police officers have been injured, and the average age of those arrested stands at just 17. Countless shops have been targeted by looters, and approximately 2,000 vehicles have been destroyed since the riots began.
Echoes of the Past: 2005 Unrest in France and State of Emergency
The riots have evoked memories of the widespread unrest in 2005, which led then-President Jacques Chirac to declare a state of emergency following the deaths of two young men who were electrocuted while attempting to evade the police.
When questioned about the possibility of declaring a state of emergency, Minister Darmanin responded, "Quite simply, we're not ruling out any hypothesis, and we'll see after tonight what the President of the Republic chooses."
Macron Cancels State Visit to Germany
On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron deferred his planned state visit to Germany due to the escalating unrest in his country. The violent demonstrations were triggered by the fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old earlier in the week, an issue Macron's government is currently grappling to control.
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