Rue Beaurepaire in Paris shows signs of recovery after violent riots on Oct. 17 left widespread destruction. The street, known for left-wing gatherings, sustained smashed windows, fires, and looting in at least eight stores and two apartment buildings. Shop owner Anita Lollchand, 68, waited five days before grocery shopping, fearing a repeat of the lawless chaos.
Rudy Zylbersztejn, 32, of Deni's Bagels, witnessed thugs attempt to break through reinforced glass. The French Chamber of Commerce reports about 2,500 businesses were affected, with 47 percent severely damaged, including 480 in the Paris region. While some cafes and restaurants have resumed normal service, many residents remain on edge.
The area's history of protests, including the 1871 Paris Commune, offers no precedent for the scale of this violence. Early warnings saw some owners preemptively closing shutters as masked groups arrived.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing