Urban Riots in France

The riots that took place in France in November 2005 had causes both deep and recent. French immigration policies favoring "territorialization" have led many immigrants to face social exclusion based on ethnicity. Many youth whose families recently immigrated feel that the broader society has not accepted them. But it is important to remember that these youth do not want to change the Republican values. Rather, they wish to have them applied equally to all French citizens, regardless of race, religion, or country of origin. Most youth of immigrant origins did not participate in the riots and simply want to lead normal lives.