"If 50 cars and a shopping center can be set alight in a small town in rural Normandy, then perhaps nowhere in France is immune from a wave of rioting by disaffected young people. The fact that residents say it was only a matter of time before Evreux experienced the violence that has engulfed the rundown suburbs of Paris for the past 10 nights, speaks volumes." (Reuters)

Does anyone know the role of French anarchists, if any, in the recent riots? There's just so much militant energy, if it were equipped with even a sliver of vision this could be the prelude to a 21st century Commune of sorts. I'm not saying there isn't a clear vision of what is opposed, which is just the oppressive nature of racist, French capitalism - but this rebellion will just be so many torched cars without some semblance of what it is that they are fighting for. I'm sure this is already there, in their minds and hearts, so here's to hoping it becomes expressed and celebrated while there is time.

Also, here are two important first-hand accounts via the blogosphere.