Not defending the judges' decisions here, but...

Not Protestors; Rioters and Looters

These are all very heavy sentences. No arguments from me there. But, tell the story without putting a spin on it.

Remember that in France it is civil law and judges study the case and make decisions. Lawyers aren't pleasing cases and objecting as much as in North America like we see in Hollywood movies or on Netflix.

Cases mentioned:

1. Guy gets 10 months in prison for stealing a Redbull [Source in French]: Yes. Based on different laws, he was found guilty of looting, among other things. He was made an example of. Harsh. Not his first rodeo...
2. 6 months for stealing fruit. Cannot find source. Looting, not protesting.
3. Looting a Louis Vuitton store. 1 year in prison. Homeless guy with schizophrenia. Said he was looking for food.
4. 1 year of prison. Was found in the store after the looting... picking up the leftovers.

After giving 4 examples states that he gave 5 examples. Says the courts are "cramming as many cases per day"... Yes, that's how they do. Makes false claims (says they are told to plead guilty, we can't know that, says they have no lawyers, provides no proof).

I'm sorry, but I cannot call this independent journalism. This is just 12 minutes of false connections and misleading or manipulated content. It is not news.

Fact: the judges handed out harsh punishments based on the current laws because these individuals were caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

In France, the truth depends on the time, the place, and the context. Judges have to rule based on that. There are options to appeal. But, if it's 4 in the morning, for example, and you're in the Louis Vuitton shop checking out handbags on the same night as riots, you'll get the book thrown at you.

The guy who made this video could have told the straight facts, no spin, just facts, and it would have been a stronger argument.

Also...

Furthermore, the French government is censoring social media

They have been suggesting that, haven't done it yet.

This is fucked up! It is kind of scary how even here in Germany the news coverage is skewed in favour of Macron recently. Kind of framing it as a migrant revolt. You only hear about the riots in france but no background info about why it is happening and what measures are taken. At the same time you hear about France starting to spy on citizens smartphones and just ask yourself what the fuck is happening. Thanks for the translation!

:(