MISCELLANEOUS – While Martinique has been facing a wave of protests against the high cost of living since Sunday, six police officers were targeted by gunfire and slightly injured on the night of Monday to Tuesday, September 4, during urban violence in Fort-de-France, the prefecture said in a press release.
“During the night, they intervened three times against groups of violent individuals who targeted them with firearms and projectiles.”the statement said, adding that the police officers were twice subjected to “ live ammunition, which slightly injured six officials and damaged two vehicles”Three people were arrested.
The clashes took place in the Sainte-Thérèse district, near the Grand Port Maritime de Martinique. According to the prefecture, “ Three cars and several garbage cans were set on fire (…)as well as materials stolen from a public works site”. Three cans of gasoline were discovered near the barricades, the prefecture announcing the ban on the sale of fuel in cans. in order to prevent any risk”.
“I am angry because I was told that there would be a peaceful demonstration and we were attacked for nothing”Louisy Berté, deputy territorial secretary of the Alliance Police nationale union, told AFP.
A movement to denounce the cost of living
On Monday morning, the police had already intervened to unblock access to the port of Fort-de-France. Molotov cocktails and a can of gasoline had been found. Piles of stones were also scattered behind barricades.
The Grand Port Maritime de Martinique, through which 98% of goods entering or leaving the territory pass, has been the target of a movement of discontent since Sunday against the high cost of living. Several hundred people had responded to the call of the Rally for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources (RPPRAC) which is demanding that the price of food products be aligned with those practiced in mainland France.
Arrested early Sunday morning near a bus depot where damage was committed, the president of the RPPRAC, Rodrigue Petitot, was released Monday evening under the status of assisted witness. In response to his arrest, the dockers’ and port agents’ unions stopped work. They are also demanding negotiations on the issue of the high cost of living. Their movement continues Tuesday, according to the port management.
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