Thousands protest in France following deadly racist shooting

Thousands of citizens gathered overnight in the French city of Trappes, southwest of Paris, to protest against racism and Islamophobia. The demonstration was prompted by a shooting incident that occurred on October 23, which resulted in the death of 26-year-old Pengo Bossio Wangi and left seven others injured, including a 12-year-old girl, in the town of La Verriere. The suspect, who has been taken into custody, reportedly admitted to deliberately targeting Muslims and people of African descent.

The event in Trappes was initiated by the city's left-wing mayor, Ali Rabeh, and held at the Place des Merisiers. Protesters carried French flags and signs with slogans such as "Racism kills, as does silence" and "We are not targets, our lives matter." Earlier in the day, a separate gathering took place in La Verriere, attended by former Prime Minister and 2027 presidential candidate Edouard Philippe, as well as Valerie Pecresse, the president of the Ile-de-France region. The investigation into the attack remains ongoing as the suspect is held in detention.