It’s been a while since I’ve done a France news update but there are so many pressing issues facing the country now besides Covid that it was time to jump back in. And this time, I’m joined by Yasser Louati, a human rights and civil liberties activist, a community organiser, and political analyst. He also co-founded the NGO CJL, a transnational human rights and civil liberties organisation. A fellow podcaster at Le Breakdown and Les Idées Libres, I couldn’t think of anyone better to join me to discuss the status of France’s controversial security bill, racism, Islamophobia and the historic sources of many of the countries troubles.
UPDATE: Since the recording of this episode, France’s Constitutional Council has struck down two elements of Macron’s security bill: the measure to criminalise filming police and the measure to extend drone surveillance. That’s a positive development for all — well, except for the government.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Yasser Louati
Yasser’s tweet
Le Breakdown podcast
Les Idées Libres podcast
Security bill update