A total of 2,700 French troops have been deployed to the French territory of New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean east of Australia to quell violent mass protest and riots.

According to reports, many within the indigenous population are angry about a recently implemented voting reform policy that would give anyone who has resided on the island more than ten years the ability to vote in local elections, a privilege only indigenous people had previously been allowed.

France had initially sent 1,700 troops, but more were needed as the protesting is widespread and violent. At least four people have died and hundreds more injured in the unrest.

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Will Killmore

Will Killmore is a US Army combat infantry veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He has deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with the 172nd Stryker Brigade and 173rd Airborne Brigade. Following his time in service, he successfully pursued a certificate of journalism and has been a blogger for Funker530 since 2014. Follow Will’s bad takes on Twitter