By
Fatimah Idera
Protest hits Paris on Friday as gunmen invade Kurdish cultural center and killed three community members
On Friday, gunman opened fire inside a Kurdish cultural centre and a nearby Kurdish cafe, killing three people and sparking violent protests in the streets.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the “atrocious attack” against the country’s Kurdish population.
According to French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, the alleged attacker specifically sought out foreigners to attack.
A representative for the Kurdish cultural centre said that all three victims were of Kurdish descent. One of the three individuals who were injured was in critical condition.
Riot police used tear gas to disperse an irate throng that had collected a short distance from the gunshot scene and had begun to throw projectiles at policemen, overturn trash cans and restaurant tables, and vandalise vehicles.
Video watched by blackboxNigeria reporter showed a white man, a French national, in a grey shirt and shabby white trainers being brought away from the scene with his hands tied behind his back.
Mehmet Dilek, an eyewitness, said;
“Someone who has never felt fear may find this startling. But we Kurds are used to living in constant fear of weapons and bombs”
Deputy Mayor Alexandra Cordebard described the gunshots as a “awful drama” She also revealed that one of the injured was in critical condition.
On Twitter, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said that all Kurds should be guaranteed a safe and secure environment. At this time of need, “Paris is more committed than ever to standing by their side.”
Several hours later, armed police stood guard at a security perimeter.
One of the casualties was a 26-year-old lady who had been living in Paris for some time, according to Salih Azad, a major figure in the Kurdish community in Marseille.
She “was well integrated socially and culturally,” he claimed.
