Violent protests in Martinique lead to airport closures, curfew

The worldwide airport on the Caribbean island of Martinique was pressured to shut, leaving passengers stranded on account of unrest over the price of dwelling within the French territory.

Dozens of protesters stormed the runway on the capital’s Fort-de-France airport on Thursday, shutting it down. Inbound flights have been diverted to close by Guadeloupe, which can be French territory. The airport reopened on Friday.

The curfew stays in place till no less than Monday after a wave of violent protests.

Authorities banned public gatherings and the acquisition of things that might be utilized in arson assaults.

The protests started in September, demanding that native meals costs be introduced in step with these in mainland France, the place meals costs are 40% decrease. One protester was shot lifeless and 26 cops have been injured through the riots.

A curfew has been in place on the island since then, and in late September the French authorities despatched in riot police after protesters defied a ban on public gatherings.

Agence France-Presse stated unrest broke out once more on Monday as police tried to take away barricades.

Burning roadblocks have been erected in lots of components of the island in latest days, outlets have been looted and automobiles burned.

AFP stated one of many 26 injured officers suffered a gunshot wound. On Thursday, a person died in hospital from related wounds after an evening of unrest. An investigation into his dying has been launched.

Native authorities stated police didn’t fireplace any pictures.

French Abroad Minister François Noel Buffett condemned the violence and referred to as for “accountability and calm”.

Residents of France’s abroad territories have lengthy complained in regards to the excessive price of dwelling.

The protests in Martinique have been organized by the Congress for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Individuals and Sources, which stated meals costs ought to be the identical as in mainland France.

On Tuesday, Didier Laguerre, the mayor of Fort-de-France, acknowledged that the individuals of Martinique, residence to 350,000 individuals, have been struggling: “I perceive their ache and their anger.”