A new wave of riots in Paris: Chinese residents up in arms

A new wave of riots in Paris: Chinese residents up in arms

Last night there was a riot (émeute) in the Belleville area of Paris, home to a large population of Chinese immigrants and descendants. What was planned to be a peaceful demonstration (manifestation) to speak out (dénoncer) the quarter’s increasing danger for Chinese residents degenerated into a riot that saw cars overturned and riot police on the streets.

The following text explains the origin of the trouble. I have highlighted useful terms:

“Bonjour, je préviens pour ceux qui ne sont pas au courant et qui veulent participer.
“Hello, a heads up for those who don’t know and who would like to participate.

Depuis des décennies déjà, les chinois sont victimes de vols et de racket de la part des noirs et des arabes dans les quartiers chinois de Paris (13ème arrondissement, Belleville …).

For decades now the Chinese people have been victims of thefts and racketing on behalf of black and arab [an example of the less "PC" manner the French use ethnic origins in speech] residents in the Chinese quarters of Paris (13th Arrondissement, Belleville…).

Le 1er juin 2010 vers minuit dans un resto chinois, à Belleville, il y a eu un vol collectif : les voleurs rackettaient et volaient l’argent, le sac à main et tout ce qui avait de la valeur, à tous les chinois qui sortaient du resto.

On the 1st of June 2010, at around midnight in a Chinese restaurant, in Belleville, there was a group theft: muggers racketed and stole money, handbags and anything of value from all Chinese people leaving the restaurant.

Cette nuit là il y avait un militaire qui a fait fuir les voleurs en blessant l’un d’entre eux et il en a enfin parlé à la police de ces rackets et vols à répétition (car aucun chinois n’osait porté plainte avant).

That night, a military person chased away the muggers by injuring one of them. He finally talked to the Police about these rackets and repeat thefts (as no Chinese person had dared to make a statement previously).

Les chinois n’ont plus de vie en France, ils se font cambrioler, voler, racketter dés qu’ils sortent. Ils ne peuvent même pas aller manger au resto le soir sans tomber sur ces voleurs qui leur veulent le fric. Ils ne peuvent plus vivre en paix.
The Chinese no longer have a life in France. They are burgled, mugged and racketed the moment they step out. They can’t even go to eat at a restaurant in the evening without running into these muggers who want their cash. They can no longer live in peace.

C’est non seulement inhumain de la part de ces arabes et noirs d’empêcher les chinois de vivre en paix mais aussi très raciste d’agir particulièrement contre les chinois car ce sont les principales victimes, malheureusement trop discrètes pour se faire entendre, jusqu’à cette nuit-là.

It’s not only inhuman of these Arabs and Blacks [again, apologies for the literal nature of this translation] to stop the Chinese from living in peace, but also very racist to act in particular against the Chinese, who are the principle victims who have unfortunately been too discreet to be heard, until this night.

Il y a donc une manifestation dimanche 20 juin en partant des quartiers chinois, pour protester contre ces vols. Je conseille à tous les chinois au moins d’y participer.”

And so there will be a demonstration on Sunday the 20th of June starting in the Chinese quarters, to protest against these muggings. I advise at least all Chinese people to participate.”

[Source: www.chinenouvelle.com and rue89.com]

This post was written by:

tfj - who has written 44 posts on The French Journey.

TFJ author Luke Spear is a French to English translator, member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists. lukespear.co.uk

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One Response to “A new wave of riots in Paris: Chinese residents up in arms”

  1. md says:

    “[again, apologies for the literal nature of this translation]” (re:blacks and Arabs)

    Why are you apologizing for this? Rampant political correctness is exactly what has allowed this problem to fester in the first place. Racial profiling is a necessary tool in tackling this problem.

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