As you know, on October 17, a massive social movement took place in Paris and throughout France. Students, teachers, “yellow vests,” activists… they were all out on the streets to demonstrate peacefully and demand their rights. But unfortunately, some ill-intentioned individuals took advantage of the crowd to sow chaos. As a result, many business owners found their stores completely looted, ransacked, and destroyed the next day… A severe blow for thousands of them, who now have to close their shops for several weeks…
How can we help the business owners affected by the events in Paris on October 17?
The areas most affected by looting and violence were concentrated around République, Boulevard de la Madeleine, Rue de Rivoli, Avenue Montaigne, and Place de Clichy. Both large chain stores and small independent retailers had their inventory completely stripped. Some stores were left completely devastated (shattered windows, charred furniture, broken automatic roller shutters…).
If you’d like to help as a citizen, you can:
- Offer to help clean up the stores, clear the floors, and remove broken glass in and around the shops…. In short, any help is welcome.
- Fundraisers are popping up everywhere to help local shop owners, often with QR codes posted on storefronts to provide direct access to the fundraiser link. Stores like Sat Elite, Lycamobile, and Footmax—all three located in the 10th and 11th arrondissements—have received massive support on social media. But so many others need help! If you can, please donate.
In the wake of the unrest, the Paris City Hall has set up an emergency task force to assist business owners with administrative and insurance procedures. Sébastien Lecornu also announced that 100% short-time work benefits would be available to all those affected by this tragedy, effective October 20. On Saturday, October 17, approximately 2,000 businesses were affected by violence in France…