Youth urged to vote after riots
2005-12-20 19:32
Clichy-Sous-Bois - A French actor, a rap star and a fashion designer teamed up on Tuesday to urge young minorities to vote, taking the message to the troubled neighbourhood that was the epicentre of France's rioting last month.
But the rally in Clichy-sous-Bois to encourage youths to register and cast ballots in France's 2007 presidential elections exposed daily frustrations of many residents of immigrant backgrounds, plus a deeper problem: The lack of politicians like them.
"Vote for who?" 28-year-old Boris Gamthety emerged from the crowd to yell into a mike. "We have no one to represent us."
France has more than five million Muslims - the most in western Europe - whose forebears came mainly from Northern and Western Africa. But not a single lawmaker in the National Assembly has African ancestry.
Important to vote
Three weeks of car torchings, other vandalism and clashes between youths and police that broke out on October 27 in Clichy-sous-Bois laid bare how many immigrants and their French-born children feel marginalised in a country that they say has never accepted them.
Many of the speakers stressed the need for young people to express their voices through ballots.
"To vote is to exist," said rapper Joey Starr, wearing a baseball cap backward as he paced the stage. "The people who are most aware of the problems in the neighbourhood are you," he said to cheers. He told the audience that he registered to vote on Tuesday.
'Better to take action'
Gamthety shot back, expressing anger and saying he thought it was wrong for Starr to be giving civics lessons.
"I have never voted in my life, and to tell you the truth, I probably never will," said the graphic designer.
But the message connected with some of the 300 people on hand. After the rally, participants were invited to register to vote at City Hall across the street - and a few dozen did.
Sofiane Mokhtari, 18, said his parents had encouraged him to vote, but he realised the importance of participating in civic life when he saw his neighbourhood break out into violence.
"I prefer to take action than just watch things happen," he said, holding up his electoral registration form.
- AP