President Macron Blasted for Attending Elton John Concert Amid Fiery Protests Across France
Social media users criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for attending an Elton John concert on Wednesday, while protests rage across France in response to a police shooting of an unarmed 17-year-old.
“France … This is scary,” one user wrote on Twitter. “Ordinary citizens are now being dragged from their vehicles and attacked. Where is Macron? At an Elton John concert dancing the night away while his nation is on fire.”
France … This is scary. Ordinary citizens are now being dragged from their vehicles and attacked.
Where is Macron? At an Elton John concert dancing the night away while his nation is on fire. pic.twitter.com/1MxzSGQHRn— .*Funkytown
*. (@01Funkytown) June 30, 2023
Macron urged parents to keep their teenagers indoors in an effort to avoid further violence — hours before footage surfaced of Macron dancing at the British musician’s concert.
“Macron dancing in Elton John’s concert while Paris was burning — what has happened to the leaders of these days?” Uppsala University professor Ashok Swain asked.
Macron dancing in Elton John’s concert while Paris was burning – what has happened to the leaders of these days? pic.twitter.com/bZnpv0JYGV
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) June 30, 2023
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Riots first broke out earlier this week after footage emerged of a French police officer shooting a 17-year-old boy named Nahel, who was of Algerian heritage. The teen was seated in his car at a traffic stop when the officer fired his gun, appearing to show no signs of aggression or threat. The officer said he shot his weapon because he was worried the boy would run someone over with his car, according to Nanterre prosecutor Pascal Prache, per CNN.
Since then, France has banned demonstrations, limited travel and closed cinemas early in some cities. Many videos have surfaced of violence between police and protestors during the riots.
View more reactions to Macron’s outing below:
No twitter. Now I’m forced to watch non-stop French coverage and it’s starting to depress me. I don’t know how France will deal with it. The last thing people needed was Macron’s going to see Elton John. Kind of in your face…
— Dee R (@deeredley) July 1, 2023
It is a pity he never postponed going to the Elton John concert in Paris as the rioting began Macron should be impeached
— Joan Anderson (@theblade113) July 1, 2023
NEW: French President Macron danced around at an Elton John concert in Paris while the city and country are literally burning to the ground while under siege by rioters.
Innocent French people are being viciously attacked on the streets and countless police officers have been… pic.twitter.com/36xwBbX6Ud— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 1, 2023
France is burning and Macron chose to relax at the Elton John concert in Paris. pic.twitter.com/iZx0b7UPzp
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) June 29, 2023
France is falling into utter chaos. Someone drove a car into a Lidl store and everyone is looting that same store.
At the same time Emmanuel Macron and his wife are enjoying themselves at an Elton John concert….— Richard (@ricwe123) June 30, 2023