in 2009, there was this.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7977346.stm
In 2011, there is THIS.http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1678107.php/Amnesty-demands-justice-for-five-men-dead-in-French-police-custody
and http://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2011/11/30/la-police-francaise-epinglee-par-amnesty-international_1610984_3224.html
Is it ever going to change? If things become "tradition", they never die out.
It's quite unsettling to watch, and the footage coming from the US from the occupy movement is shocking (and I'm not easily shocked/have been in riots)
I know the occupy police are told to use whatever means necessary, but, some of the footage I've seen shows nothing more than thugs with badges, taking part in an orgy of violence.
Apart from that one time in London, any other time I've met police, they have been courteous, and the type I would trust. Mind you, I have amways been honest with them, even to the point of stupidity, at times.
Being mugged is a terrible thing to experience.
I was mugged once and count myself lucky. I remember it affected my confidence for a long time afterwards, it must have been awful for you to be betrayed by the people who you trust to uphold the law.
A couple of my friends were badly beaten in this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmOJJa_6n2I&feature=player_embedded) but I couldn't be that committed. What is so surprising is the reaction of the police on the scene. You are right it happens everywhere.
nothing very exciting, was walking to my hotel with my then boyfriend, a policeman approached boyfriend, and insinuated he had "been too full on" with a barmaid. boyf said no, tried to clear up that he didn't even recall what barmaid, and he ended up being knocked acrocc the back of the head by another police. He was put in a squad car, and I was trying to figure the story out, and yes, I see footage of crazy drunken folk all the time, I did not scream, cry, use expletives, or physically try to touch anyone. I just asked where he was being taken to so that I could find the place, and I was taken along to the smae place, only in another car.
When we got out of the car, the officer bringing me in (a woman) told the lady that would spend the evening smacking me "we got a few paddy's here, lets f@ck them up"
long story short, I was rolled on the floor, smacked on the face, punched in the stomach, and let go "with a warning"... the warning was "not to come back", and came with a side not "we're f@ckin sick of your type" Ex boyfriend did have more serious injuries, but trying to stay in london to take action was the last thing on our minds.
There you go, not much to write home about, but my little drama. I know that worse than that happens, all over the world, every day. my complaint is pretty insignificant
You are right of course, petitions are not taken as seriously here as say UK or the States. Unless you are a farmer or a hunter you can expect your grievance to be ignored. Remember rainbow Warrior was sunk in French port how that was treated by the French.
I would like to know more about your face to face encounters. Do tell.
Hmm, do petitions work in France? By the looks of thingsm Ammnesty international have been petitioning them for years, to no avail.
I don't really understand the racist slant though, I mean, there are police here of many races. I find it hard to believe that ONLY north Africans get brutalised. Anytime I've been face to face with French police, yes, my accent irritated them, but they've mostly been courteous. I have been smashed about in the UK, however, by police.
Disturbing, but apart from being more aware of these vile acts what are we supposed to do with this information. Leaves me feeling innefective. However, if you want to start a petition to the justice minister I would be happy to sign it.