Macron: Video images of police beating Black man 'shame us'
French President Emmanuel Macron says video images showing police officers beating up a Black man “shame us,” and is condemning violence both by and against the police
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said video images showing police officers beating up a Black man “shame us,” and condemned violence both by and against the police.
Macron asked the government to quickly come up with proposals “to reaffirm the link of confidence that should naturally exist between the French and those who protect them” and to better fight discrimination.
Macron's remarks, posted on Facebook, were his first since apparently unwarranted use of force by police was spotlighted in two recent incidents. Video that surfaced Thursday showed the beating, days earlier, of music producer Michel Zecler. That followed the brutal police evacuation Tuesday of migrants in a Paris plaza, also documented on video.
Zecler said in an interview with The Associated Press that the officers hurled insults at him, including a very strong racist epithet. He insisted that he has no idea why police went after him.
The incidents come amid controversy over a new security law, particularly an article that would make it a crime to publish images of officers with intent to cause them harm. Civil liberties groups and journalists are concerned that the measure will allow police brutality to go undiscovered and unpunished. Protests are planned around France on Saturday.
In his Facebook message, Macron said he believes police should treat the French in an “exemplary” fashion, and vice versa. That means, he said, that he would “never” accept either violence against police or violence by them.
“Those who ensure the law is applied must respect the law," he said.
Macron, apparently responding to criticism about his perceived heavy-handedness with the press, stressed that he ardently believes in freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
"The values of the (French) Republic are not negotiable,” he said.
The officers involved in the beating of Zecler were suspended during an internal police investigation.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.