This Footage Does Not Feature a Rioter Using a Sniper During France Protests
The Claim
A video shows a rioter pointing out a sniper on a rooftop in France recently.
Emerging story
In the wake of the recent riots triggered by Nahel's killing, social media users circulated footage purporting to show a rioter pointing out a sniper on a rooftop in France.
“France has fallen, this is no more protest, this is civil war, a sniper spotted,” a user tweeted.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating video and found the claim to be misleading.
A thorough reverse image search revealed the video making the rounds to be outdated and unrelated to France's recent riots.
The Sniper Video Dates Back to 2022
The footage predates the recent riots taking place in France.
Social media users shared the video in March 2022, without specifying its location
Misbar’s team was not able to verify if the video features a real sniper operation or a staged scene.
COMPTE FERMÉ, a Twitter user, published the video on March 14, 2022, along with a French caption.
@repertoirememe, a Twitter account, also published the video on March 6, 2023, indicating that the video is older than claimed.
Recent Riots in France
In response to the killing of 17-year-old Nahel on June 27, France has witnessed a surge of anger and protests among young people, who are demanding an end to alleged racial profiling and greater police accountability.
Over the past week, the protests have escalated, leading to the destruction of numerous cars, attacks on schools, town halls, police stations, banks, and businesses, with nearly a thousand buildings set on fire. The estimated cost of the damage is around $1.1 billion.
Macron Blames Video Games for the Riots
President Emmanuel Macron has attributed much of the destruction during the riots to social media, specifically pointing out the role of video games in inspiring copycat violence and vandalism.
During a press conference on July 1, Macron expressed his belief that some protesters seem to be reenacting the immersive experiences of video games while out on the streets.
He further highlighted the use of platforms like Snapchat and TikTok by the protesters, claiming that they are being utilized to coordinate activities and propagate a culture of violence that can disconnect younger individuals from the real world.
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