ransacking, fires and damage resumed in Fort-de-France, after the arrest of Rodrigue Petitot

On the night of November 12 to 13, 2024, Martinique was once again marked by acts of vandalism, looting of stores and impressive fires of trees and cars in the city center of Fort-de-France. And once again, the Sainte-Thérèse district has not been spared, the residents lament.

In view of the damage, the population and Foyalais traders are divided between concerns and anger (at the microphone of Xavier Chevalier), in the face of this violence which occurs in a tense context, after the arrest of Rodrigue Petitot in the morning. The leader of the RPPRAC is accused of having entered the prefectural residence the day before, where he had a violent altercation with the state representative, Jean-Christophe Bouvier.

“Frankly, we're fed up, we're really fed up. They're mixing everything up, it's not good publicity for Martinique” confides a resident, exasperated by the turn of events.

For many, the abuses are “incomprehensible and unjustified”. Others believe that these actions “are detrimental to the cause of the movement against the high cost of living.”

“I find it unpleasant, especially in the morning when we go to work. It has nothing to do with the cost of living. I am in favor of finding a solution, but in these conditions, we will achieve nothing, it will always be confrontation”, adds another witness.

For others, however, “It’s a necessary evil to draw attention to deep-seated problems.”

There are those who believe that the current situation arises from long-standing problems. “If it goes this far, there is a big problem. How many years has the system been corrupt?”

In the city center, several stores were targeted. Between Schoelcher and Antoine Siger streets, the Royal Gold jewelry store suffered heavy losses, “estimated at 120,000 euros”.

“The boss warned us this morning. We arrived and found all this… Everything is broken inside, and they took everything” says a saleswoman, still in shock, at the microphone of Morgane Garnier and Tom Gagnou.

At Galeries Lafayette, facing the cathedral, director Damien Hayot describes a similar scene.

Around 3:30 a.m. we were contacted to inform us that the store was being looted. When I arrived there at 4:30 a.m., I was able to see. It had been looted by quite a few people, maybe thirty.

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Although an inventory is underway to assess the losses, Damien Hayot estimates that the damage amounts to “at least 200,000 euros”. Perfumery, leather goods and men's ready-to-wear were particularly visited in this luxury store.

A fire-type vehicle was also “stoned” during this evening of disorder deplores the Territorial Fire and Rescue Service of Martinique, in a press release dated November 13.

The STIS recalls that “firefighters intervene every day, with courage, kindness and dedication, to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.”

Whether they involve fires, accidents or rescue situations, they are always there, often in difficult conditions, sometimes at the risk of their lives, to help anyone in distress, whatever the circumstances. The mission of these women and men is to protect and save lives. We also deplore the fact that they are being attacked and that their physical integrity is being threatened. We call for respect for their mission.

After this umpteenth episode of urban violence, the inhabitants of Fort-de-France and the rest of the Martinique population remain divided.

On the one hand, there are those who consider that it is “the expression of frustrations in the face of unresolved social problems” and on the other, those who totally disapprove of “the methods”, fearing a renewed crescendo of violent acts and obstruction of freedom.