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Peace, Safety, and Security Abroad: France and Beyond


I had the privilege of traveling to Europe this summer for the first. I visited Barcelona, Spain, Gibraltar, Marseille, Frace, and four cities in Italy: Genoa, Pisa, Florence, and Rome.


Two weeks before I visited Marseille, a boy of Moroccan and Algerian descent was murdered by police in the suburbs of Paris. Thousands gathered on the street where he was killed for his vigil. Within hours, the country was in uproar and gatherings soon turned to protests. People spoke out for the life of the boy and protested against racial discrimination in France. It called attention to the unspoken racism of the majority white country. If you want to learn more about it, pay a visit to this article.


While in Marseille, I observed the aftermath of the country’s unrest. There was evidence of it on every street. Broken glass littered the street, businesses’ windows were replaced by wooden boards, and the streets were relatively quiet, not resembling the population of France’s second-biggest city.


I believe the protests resembled a double-edged sword. On one hand, the well-being of citizens was threatened because of the protests and civil unrest; on the other, they were defending the life of a boy of Moroccan and Algerian descent. They were upholding the responsibilities of citizens by holding governments accountable.


We see police shootings very often in the United States. Our citizens and government move on without second thoughts. We do not see reform in our justice systems and guns hold more power than ever. France’s citizens defended their beliefs and brought attention to injustice. They sought out political and social change.


Although this was not an act of peace, it was done for the safety and security of France’s citizens, specifically BIPOC citizens.


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