Vénissieux is a commune in the Metropolis of Lyon in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France.GeographyVénissieux is located on the southern outskirts of Lyon.ToponymyThe name Vénissieux derives from Latin Viniciacum, itself crafted upon a Roman villa landlord named Vinicius. Inhabitants are called 'Vénissians'.HistoryIn May 1944 the industries are damaged by the bombing . On 2 September 1944, Vénissieux is freed from the Nazis.Riots in September 1981, occurring particularly in the area of Les Minguettes, were some of the first of their kind in suburban neighborhoods in France. In summer 1983, harsh clashes were held between police and young people in the Minguettes neighborhood.During the riots, Toumi Djaïdja, the young president of the association 'SOS Avenir Minguettes', was wounded by a policeman and rushed to the hospital. Police chases, cars burned, urban damage... These events are filmed and widely mediatised. Residents of the neighborhood, including the priest Christian Delorme and the pastor Jean Costil have the idea of a long walk, inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr and Gandhi. These events are at the origin of The March For Equality and Against RacismSince the late 1980s, major urban renewal programs have transformed the Minguettes neighborhood reducing high population density. Between 1990 and 1999, the district loses more than 2,000 citizens. Today Vénissieux is classified 'ZSP' for Priority Security Zone and still tarnished by his bad reputation because of high crime rate. The district is home of about 22,000 inhabitants. Unemployment affects 40% of youth.