Reporting in American Greatness, French intelligence officials have identified Antifa and other far-left extremist organizations as key instigators of the riots we witnessed last Saturday in Paris. What is especially alarming is what appears to be an unprecedented alliance between radical leftists and groups of young men from immigrant-heavy neighborhoods.
According to a French intelligence assessment reported by 20 Minutes, approximately 5,000 individuals belong to violent extremist networks operating outside France’s democratic mainstream.
Three primary factions seem responsible for much of the unrest: Antifa, insurrectionary anarcho-autonomists, and traditional anarchist groups. Dick and I would add to the group young women pushing baby carriages.
Reports that the factions joined forces with young people from suburban neighborhoods, some yellow vest protesters and politically active youths seem accurate from our vantage point. We were reluctant to cancel our 9th arrondissement dinner reservations, so off we headed, into the night, to dine at the popular wine bar and bistro. In retrospect, and in fact, it all turned out perfectly. We crawled past le Louvre on our way to the 9th. The mess at le museum was caused by a jam of people and cars, pedestrians and bikes. It is hard to become concerned when young women are part of the act, pushing baby prams across traffic-clogged crossings.
We tried not to worry. What if our driver inadvertently hit a pedestrian, would we then be hauled out of the cab? The driver, steady and cautious yet still aggressively French, maintained ownership of his piece of road. With advice ringing in our heads, “the one reservation you can’t skip in Paris,” we headed into the night. No one was up for staying put.
Perfectly Cooked and Unapologetically Rich
As one review noted. Le Bon George was everything we had hoped: refined, delicious. It felt like an earned indulgence. Linger and enjoy.
