Swiss tranquility disrupted: Death of a teenage immigrant on a scooter triggers hate, riots, and political turbulence in a once peaceful city.
In the heart of Lausanne, Switzerland, unrest has taken hold following the tragic death of a 17-year-old local rapper named Marvin Shalom Manzila. Born on July 13, 2008, to parents of Congolese descent who had been granted Swiss citizenship, Manzila, known by his stage name MNS, was a rising talent in the music scene, posting his work on YouTube and Instagram.
Marvin Manzila spent a significant amount of time in the neglected area of Borde in the city. His death, caused by a fatal head injury sustained in a motor scooter accident during a police chase, has sparked conversations about police attitudes, especially towards minorities, as it marks the third death during police operations in Lausanne in just three months.
His friends describe him as a decent boy who was always smiling. A memorial has been made for him, and a passer-by pays his respects, reading the letters written about him.
Meanwhile, the conduct of six officers involved in the incident is currently being examined in an ongoing case at the Lausanne District Court. Elsewhere, four police officers have been suspended for sharing images and messages deemed racist, anti-Semitic, sexist, homophobic, and discriminatory on WhatsApp. A complaint has been filed against an officer who took a picture and placed a thumbs up in front of a memorial for Manzila.
The unrest in Lausanne has led to damages such as a bus shelter remaining without glass after it was shattered during the protests. However, local businesses were not impacted by the riots.
Switzerland, a nation of immigrants, has become one of the most diverse countries in Europe, with nearly 40% of Swiss residents either immigrants or children of immigrants. Foreign nationals account for 27% of the population, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
The last governing political party or government in Switzerland when Manzila died was the Swiss federal government led by the Federal Council, a multi-party executive body. The specific party composition at that time included parties such as the Swiss People's Party (SVP), Social Democratic Party (SP), FDP.The Liberals, Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP), and others.
In response to the allegations of racism, sexism, and discrimination within the police force, there is a growing call for deeper institutional reform and further action in Switzerland. The community, particularly those from minority backgrounds, are calling for change to ensure incidents like Marvin Manzila's death do not happen again.
A mother-of-three visits the memorial to Manzila, fearing for her children's safety in the city. Oliver Phan Sy, who lives in the flats directly above the scene of the accident, states that the neighborhood is very cosmopolitan and everyone lives in harmony together.
As the investigations continue, the community in Lausanne and beyond are left to grapple with the loss of a young talent and the questions surrounding the events that led to his death.
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