#France declared a state of emergency on the Pacific island of #NewCaledonia after clashes broke out between authorities and pro-independence protesters. At least four people have already been killed. Three of whom were Indigenous people, and the fourth was a French gendarme.
Protesters have been seen carrying heavy firearms, with reports of live rounds being fired at police.
Multiple buildings have been set on fire, and several supermarkets have been looted. White French residents have also formed armed groups to confront the Indigenous protesters.
Under the state of emergency, French authorities have imposed a curfew, banned #TikTok, closed schools, and placed restrictions on movement.
They have also deployed an additional 500 police officers, adding to the 1,800 police and gendarmes already on the island.
Protests erupted after French President Emmanuel #Macron introduced plans to reform New Caledonia’s electoral system, which would grant more French residents in the territory voting rights. Protesters believe this would unfavorably shift political representation in the country. The Pacific archipelago, home to the Indigenous #Kanak people, is rich in minerals and has been under French control since 1853.
