News Americas, New York, NY, September 18, 2024: The Mayor of Fort-de-France, Didier Laguerre, has called for urgent dialogue and consultation in response to the escalation of urban violence affecting parts of the city of Martinique. In a press release and press conference held today, Mayor Laguerre expressed his deep concern about the unrest, stressing that action must be taken “in the best interest of Martinicans.”
The neighborhoods of Sainte-Thérèse and Dillon have been particularly affected, with significant violence and damage reported. Fort-de-France and nearby Le Lamentin experienced fights, thefts and fires overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, with hooded youths confronting law enforcement. In Sainte-Thérèse, fires broke out near the local church and in Dillon, a McDonald’s restaurant was heavily damaged by flames, prompting the intervention of firefighters around 1:49 am.
The unrest appears to stem from a 9/11 incident at Carrefour Dillon, where peaceful protests against rising cost of living turned violent after a reported crackdown by law enforcement. RPPRAC, an organization representing the protesters, condemned what they described as “police repression” and called for calm while urging the prefect to stop the “spiral of violence”.
“Children and the elderly who came to protest peacefully were brutally suppressed,” the RPPRAC said in an open letter today, which also reiterated their demands for public negotiations and price alignment with mainland France. Gladys Rogers, RPPRAC treasurer, admitted that while their appeals for calm have been effective, the growing anger among the population is becoming harder to control.
The violence has led to widespread looting in Fort-de-France and Le Lamentin. Shops, including Cash Converters in downtown Fort-de-France and several businesses in the Jambette area, were broken into and looted. Fort-de-France municipal police headquarters were also targeted and multiple roadblocks were set up, disrupting traffic in key areas such as the Jeanne d’Arc roundabout. Officials on the French Caribbean island of Martinique say on September 17, 2024 at least six police officers were injured by gunfire during violent protests.
Despite the growing unrest, Mayor Laguerre continues to appeal for calm and stresses the need for immediate dialogue to resolve tensions. “We must act swiftly to protect the safety and well-being of all Martinicans,” he said.
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