As the island of Martinique has been experiencing a wave of protests against the high cost of living since Sunday, six police officers were shot and slightly injured during urban violence that broke out in Fort-de-Mort, France, on the night of Monday, September 2, to Tuesday, September 3, the prefecture announced.
“During the night they intervened three times against groups of violent people who attacked them with firearms and throwing projectiles”The press release states that the police officers were attacked on two occasions. “live ammunition, which slightly injured six officers and damaged two vehicles”Three people were arrested.
The clashes took place in the Sainte-Thérèse district, near Martinique’s Grand Port Maritime. According to the prefecture, “Three cars and several garbage cans were set on fire. (…)as well as materials stolen from a public works project”Three gasoline canisters were discovered near the barricades and the prefecture announced a ban on the sale of fuel in cans. “to prevent any risk”.
Food products are 40% more expensive than in France
On Monday morning, police had already intervened to unblock access to the port of Fort-de-France. Molotov cocktails and a canister of petrol were found, while piles of stones were also scattered behind the barricades.
The activity of the Grand Port Maritime of Martinique, through which 98% of the goods entering or leaving the overseas territory pass, has been disrupted since Sunday by a protest movement against the high cost of living. Several hundred people responded to the call of the Demonstration for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources (RPPRAC), which is calling for food prices to be aligned with those in France.
Arrested on Sunday morning near a bus station where damage had been caused, RPPRAC president Rodrigue Petitot was released on Monday evening on condition of assisted witness. In response to his arrest, port and dock workers’ unions stopped work. They are also demanding negotiations on the cost of living issue. Their movement will continue on Tuesday, according to the port management.
The issue of food prices is a major daily concern for residents of the overseas territories. In 2022, food products were on average 40% more expensive in Martinique than in mainland France, according to INSEE. Dairy products, meat, fruit and non-alcoholic beverages are the main contributors to the differences in diet between the two territories. Among agri-food products, meat represents 17% of household consumption expenditure in Martinique.”The organisation specifies. Since then, this gap in food prices has widened even further in a context of high inflation.
