In June 2023, a series of riots broke out in France following the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy, Nahel Merzouk, by police in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris. The riots were the most intense in France since 2005, and they spread to other cities across the country, including Paris, Lyon, and Marseille.

The riots were sparked by anger over the shooting of Merzouk, who was of North African descent. Witnesses said that Merzouk was unarmed and that he was shot in the back while running away from police. The police have said that Merzouk was carrying a knife, but they have not released any video footage of the shooting.

The riots were also fueled by broader concerns about racism and discrimination in France. Many people in the affected communities felt that Merzouk was targeted because of his race. They also pointed to the fact that there have been a number of other high-profile cases of police violence against people of color in France in recent years.

The riots caused widespread damage in the affected areas. Cars were burned, businesses were looted, and public buildings were vandalized. The French government deployed thousands of security forces to try to restore order, and there were several arrests.

The riots have raised serious questions about the relationship between the police and minority communities in France. The government has promised to investigate the shooting of Merzouk, and it has also pledged to take steps to address the underlying causes of the riots. However, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be enough to prevent future unrest.

In addition to the immediate causes of the riots, there are also some longer-term factors that have contributed to the unrest in France. These include high levels of unemployment, poverty, and segregation in the country's banlieues, or suburbs. These areas are often home to large minority populations, and they have been neglected by the government for many years.

The riots in France are a reminder of the deep-seated problems that exist in the country. The government will need to take urgent action to address these problems if it wants to prevent future unrest.