Record march in France against retirement age reform, accidents and threat of general strike

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A Record demonstration against the pension reform in France It spread on Saturday afternoon in Paris and in the main cities of the country. Whole families marched peacefully, in the middle of the school holidays and on Saturdays, when companies cannot deduct the salaries of those who participated.

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This was announced by the CGT half a million protesters in Paris. The prefecture has not yet disclosed its data. The latest mobilization involved 2 million people across France, according to unions.

But the organizers were unable to prevent the infiltration of the violent anarchists of the Black Blocs and again there were accidents and clashes in rue de Charonne, at the end of the march, in Paris.

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a car was burnedwhen all generations participated in the march: grandparents, children and grandchildren, United against the government’s plan to extend the pension to 64 years. The French refuse to work beyond the age of 62, arguing that the extension alters their lifestyle.

Garbage bins were overturned by men dressed in black and a fire broke out in the middle of the street. The police tried to disperse the hooded men. Firefighters scrambled to put out the flames. Era at least four prisoners.

Protesters on a statue during the protest in Paris.  Reuters photo

Protesters on a statue during the protest in Paris. Reuters photo

New strike on March 7?

If President Emmanuel Macron does not withdraw the project, a new “reducible” general strike will be extended on March 7. The unions threaten a stiffening of the movement. Their fear is that leftist parties, students and high school students will copy the protest and radicalize it, when they do try to keep control and negotiations open with the government.

After the violence in Paris, the demonstration split in two, fleeing the barricades and repression with tear gas. The tension erupted in rue de Charonne, in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, near the Bastille. Part of the unions were prevented from advancing due to police intervention. The agents they used tear gas to disperse several dozen black-robed individuals.

A second motorcade also headed towards the Place de la Nation on the decision of the police. If the main event took Boulevard Voltaire to reach the Place de la Nation, a second column crossed Boulevard Beaumarchais. There was a weak police presence, but a large convoy of gendarmerie vehicles was parked not far away, rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine, alongside the procession.

Students and high school students rallied vigorously. A presence that makes the unions fear control of the march.

The CGT estimated that more than 500,000 French marched in Paris alone.  AP Photo

The CGT estimated that more than 500,000 French marched in Paris alone. AP Photo

the message

If the Parisian procession seemed a little less dense than this week’s, it does not worry the elected officials, who keep an eye on in small and medium-sized cities.

Socialist Arthur Delaporte also drew attention to the “sociology” of the protesters: “We moved on to a more popular rally, more good-natured. It is good that we begin to broaden the social base of the movement”, analyzed the deputy. “Today perhaps the government will feel that there are a lot of people, who really make a lot of noise,” he explained at the demonstration.

Sarah carried her little daughter on her shoulders, who was carrying a red CGT ball. It is the first time that she and her family have participated in the march.

“I’m marching for her future as much as mine,” Sarah explained, standing next to her husband and their three-and-a-half-year-old daughter. “I explained the problem… in simple words, and how a three-year-old can understand it,” smiles the mother of the family.

Banks, insurance companies and ATMs were protected with wood, such as McDonald’s locations, to prevent attacks along and around the route. So far the shops are still protected, but the rubbish bins are on fire in Paris.

There is 400 radical elements within the marchwho managed to infiltrate, along with 2,000 Yellow Vests, according to law enforcement.

Several shops are protected by the police against projectiles fired in rue Oberkampf, Paris.

Carnival and witty posters

Beyond the segmented violence, the atmosphere of the march was carnivalesque. Cartoons, puns on posters and original banners punctuated the protest.

“Reform of the Happy Traitors” wrote a cyber operative on his banner, which was applauded by protesters. He comes from Clichy and believes that the originality of the banners will give visibility to the protest.

“Macron, I asked for a pension. Not ours.” asked another young protester.

“Shorter, more impact,” explained Stéphan Sirot, union historian, in front of this fourth protest march against pensions.

The posters, many handwritten, are aimed at Macronto the prime minister elizabeth endured (willing to pass the project by force in Parliament) e Olivier Dussot.

The CGT, which was surpassed as the first trade union in France, wants to make people laugh in its marches to captivate young people and speak their language.

“would you entrust your withdrawal to your bank?”, wondered one of the CGT manifestos. A reference to Macron’s Rothschild banking past.

A car set on fire during a protest in Paris.  AP Photo

A car set on fire during a protest in Paris. AP Photo

Silent mobilization in the regions

The demonstrations in the regions marched calmly and as a family Marseille, Toulouse, Rennes, Lyon and Bordeaux.

In Marseille, the leader of NUPES and France Unsubmissive, the former deputy Jean Luc Melenchon. “Without a doubt it will be the densest mobilization of the last 50 years,” said Jean-Luc Mélenchon, present at the head of the procession.

“Everything that is happening there will have a political expression, that’s for sure. Big social movements generate a political response behind them,” said the rebel, a former presidential candidate.

“Mr Macron, if you’re counting on usury, you’re in the wrong country,” he concluded. He is convinced of it The project must be withdrawn or they will dissolve Parliament.

From Lille, the communist leader and deputy of the North, Fabien Rousselhe stated that “the France of the sub-prefectures, of the medium-sized towns, is rebelling against this pension reform”.

“Ms. Borne, no one questions the legitimacy of elected officials and congressmen. handor question legitimacy of these people who are demonstrating today,” he asked the premier.

The march was accompanied by an unexpected strike at Orly airport. Air traffic controllers have joined in. Every second flight has been cancelled. The scenario is that if the government does not surrender, the unions will take the path of sustainable strikes and paralyze the country.

Source: Clarin

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