Riots spread to 20 Parisian suburbs

Eighth day of protesting poor housing conditions includes shooting at police.

Youths watch as firefighters extinguish burning vehicles in the Paris suburb of Aulnay sur Bois early Thursday.

(AP) AULNAY-SOUS-BOIS, France - Rampaging youths shot at police and firefighters Thursday after burning car dealerships and public buses and hurling rocks at commuter trains, as eight days of riots over poor conditions in Paris-area housing projects spread to 20 towns.

Youths ignored an appeal for calm from President Jacques Chirac, whose government worked feverishly to fend off a political crisis amid criticism that it has ignored problems in neighborhoods heavily populated by first- and second-generation North African and Muslim immigrants.

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The unrest in the northern and eastern suburbs, heavily populated by North African and black African minorities, has been fuelled by frustration among youths over their failure to get jobs and recognition in French society. Full details.

As James Taranto points out: Overall unemployment in France is 9.8%, but for under-25 Frenchmen the figure is a stunning 23%. Oh well, at least they have "free health care."