French President was “seeing red” after Black music producer was brutally attacked by police
By: Juwan J. Holmes
Tags: Police Brutality, France, Hip Hop, News, Updates

French President was “seeing red” after Black music producer was brutally attacked by police

Emmanuel Macron on November 19, 2019. Credit: Jacques Paquier via Wikimedia Commons

Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, is a polarizing figure, both internationally and within the European country. Like leaders in America, Macron has to deal with police brutality, and one of the latest instances of it in Paris has made it even more difficult for the politician to navigate.

Michel Zecler, a 41-year old Black music producer from the southern Paris area, was ambushed by police officers in his music studio. The officers brutally beat and assaulted Zecler, unbeknownst to them, on video via security cameras. They repeatedly kicked, punched, and hit him with a truncheon.

From Blavity:

The officers allegedly lied before realizing they were caught on camera, saying the artist had attacked them and tried to grab one of their guns. The four officers, who were taken into police custody simply for questioning, are now suspended as the investigation continues. Three of the officers are facing charges of “deliberate violence in a group with weapons and of a racist nature.” Another policeman is also facing the same charge as well as “deliberate damage using dangerous means.”

Reportedly, the incident — which has made international news — has Macron miffed. Although he is oft criticized for catering to the right and supporting policies that help allow police brutality, Macron has made it clear publicly and privately that he believes these officers need to be punished.

Reports reflect that Macron was “shocked” when he saw the video to the point that he told advisers he had “seen red.” after viewing the footage on social media.

He has held internal conversations with his interior minister and demanded “firm punishment” against the officers who attacked a Black music producer in Paris on Saturday. “The president was very shocked and immediately called his interior minister,” the witness told Europe 1. …Macron has asked the interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, to make sure “very clear sanctions” are taken against the police officers.

While he kept his condemnation of the officers private at first, Macron eventually took to Twitter to write that the “assault” is “unacceptable” that brings “shame” to France.

Also: Kodak Black begs for a pardon to save him from prison, which pretty much encapsulates hip hop — Juwan J. Holmes

“France must never resolve to violence or brutality, wherever they come from,” he wrote.

The events are part of what sparked recent masses to protest regulations in the country, both against police misconduct and governmental restrictions related to COVID-19 prevention. 133,000 people took to the streets Saturday alone, French officials announced, many of “varied political stripes”, according to France 24.

While Macron’s apparent support is encouraging at first, a proposal written from members of his supporting party is close to becoming law. Article 24, as it is known, criminalizes the publication of images or video of on-duty police officers that challenges their “integrity” - a rule that has already spark further outrage, especially from the French press and left-wing opponents. The proposing officials pledge to commit themselves to a “total rewrite” after Macron had to have a “crisis” meeting with legislators.

Michel Zecler is the co-founder of Black Gold Studios, described as the oldest independent hip hop label in the country. He also was behind the production of a show on “The Golden Age of French Rap” in 2016, according to EN24.

“I come from Bagneux. Today I have studios in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. I had a fairly chaotic youth, I went through prison, but I got out of that fifteen years ago and since then I have done everything to be the man I am today,” he’s quoted as telling French television media.

“I help people, I am proud to produce all these artists…it’s a victory for me.”

Zecler was arrested for “violence against public authority” and “rebellion” but was released. He has since asked for privacy and respect for him and his family via Instagram.