Kylian Mbappe has sent a message to French authorities as waves of violent protests sweeps through the country.
Mass unrests and protests swept through France’s major cities after the Police shot dead a black teenager.
The dead teenager, identified as Nahel, 17, was reportedly shot dead by French Police following an altercation between him and the police officers.
Nahel, who was reportedly unarmed, is said to have drove pass a police traffic stop before the police opened fire on him, killing the teenager on the spot.
A variation of the incident as reported by the police says Nahel threatened the officer before the security officer opened fire on him but it was confirmed Nahel did not wield any weapon during the incident.
The death of Nahel sparked widespread protests across major cities in France. Thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding justice for Nahel while calling for an end to police violence and all forms of racial prejudice.
Amid the rising protests and demonstrations, violent clashes were reported in some cities with French riot police and other security operatives clashing with protesters.
The BBC reports mass destruction of properties followed the protests especially in Marseille, Lille, and Roubaix as the clashes with the Police intensify.
On Thursday, French Police confirmed about 900 protesters have been arrested in an attempt to quell the uprising and restore order.
The French government have pledged a swift reaction to the incident with about 45,000 security officers set to be released to tame the protests and contain the increasing spates of violence.
Kylian Mbappe reacts to rising protests
Kylian Mbappe has taken to his social media handle to react to the protests sparked by the death of Nahel.
Mbappe, who is France national team captain, spoke on behalf of the national team expressing his shock on the death of Nahel while calling for an end to violent protests and clashes.
“Like all French people we were marked and shocked by the death of young Nahel and do share the feelings of sadness and pain.”
The prolific French forward added France national team “could not remain silent” as they called for the “time of violence to give way to that of mourning, dialogue and reconstruction.”
Kylian Mbappe was born and raised in the northeastern Paris suburb of Brondy, France. Brondy is working class neighborhood known for a persistent culture of violence and riots.
In New York Times’ Kylian Mbappe and the Boys From the Banlieues, Brondy is described as a hub of top soccer talents but disdained for its notorious riot and violent crimes.
Notably, the 2005 riot which is said to have occured few kilometers from Kylian Mbappe’s home, saw lives lost and properties razed down.
Its understood such experiences must have shaped Mbappe’s vocal response to the current protests after the death of Nahel.
According to reports, French President Emmanuel Macron will consider imposing a State of Emergency if the violent protests and demonstrations continue.
