Lily Mackie-Maynard, a 27-year-old from London, is in shock after her family's business in Paris was ransacked by rioters. The shopfront was smashed and the interior pillaged during widespread unrest. Staff arriving at work on Monday morning, 19 October, had to navigate broken glass to find the store completely wrecked.
Impact on Staff Described as Heartbreaking
Lily described the reaction of her employees as 'heartbreaking'. She told the Mirror: 'What has struck me most is the impact on our team. Things can be repaired, but it has been a difficult time for the people who work there.'
'They turned up to find the place they work every day damaged, and that's upsetting. Many of them have been shaken by it. It's heartbreaking to see,' she added.
Unprecedented Violence and Arrests
French government officials stated that the riots resulted in 'unprecedented' levels of violence. Approximately 2,400 people were arrested nationwide, with at least 855 detained in Paris alone. Nearly 1,000 police officers and firefighters sustained injuries.
The affected branch of Yess Electrical, the family-run business, is located on Quai de Valmy in the city centre. It was caught up in the disorder that erupted over the weekend. The business operates three branches throughout Paris.
Community Safety Concerns Raised
Lily, who runs her own venture, ZAHN, a community safety app, and works as a criminologist, commented on the wider implications. 'One thing I have found really interesting about this situation is how quickly violent behaviour can gain momentum,' she said.
'Almost like a very small group of people start acting violently and then suddenly this is acceptable behaviour. Community safety has become a complete afterthought in so many communities across Europe,' she added.
She also noted: 'I think a lot of these people who are trying to have their say in Paris are completely missing the point. Protesting is something, but rioting is something completely different.'
Recovery Efforts Underway
The establishment is currently in the midst of its recovery, with employees working around the clock to restore the shop to full operation. Lily expressed gratitude for their efforts: 'They have worked tirelessly to get the branch back up and running, and we are so grateful to every one of them. The way our team pulled together says everything.'
President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to pursue those responsible for the looting and widespread disorder. In a televised address, he declared: 'We all feel anger and shame this evening.'
