French police arrested more than 200 people on Wednesday after Prime Minister Francois Bailloux’s government collapsed into unpopular austerity measures, saying “block everything” (“Block to”) protesters tried to paralyse transport and daily life across France.
Authorities deployed 80,000 police officers and genders as thousands of demonstrators set fire to fire, built barricades and tried to block Ring Road in Paris, Europe’s busiest urban highway. The province reported that he had arrested outside the capital with 95 arrests in the Paris region on Wednesday morning.
In Porte des Montreuil in eastern Paris, protesters burned trash cans and police tried to disrupt the streetcar before dispersing obstacles and dispersing crowds. The protesters also exploded onto the highway in an attempt to block traffic, but were similarly stopped by law enforcement.
Tensions are also rising around Paris’ Gare du Nord, one of Europe’s busiest train stations, with hundreds gathering by 10:30am.
Police have closed access to the railway station, but protesters are trying to force entry. Law enforcement has since deployed tear gas to demonstrators, but some travelers have also been caught in the mess.
“I’m tired of everything”
“We’re tired of everything, so we’re protesting today,” student and actress Marie told Euroneus.
“Today we show Macron that we have finished all of this and he cannot continue to ignore us.
Meanwhile, an unknown driver who hugged himself it to clean up the bikes and trash cans barricaded the road, told Euronows that he was in support of the demonstration. “I understand their rage. I need to do something,” he said.
Other bystanders were more cautious, if not critical of the scene unfolding on Wednesday.
“I agree that we should have the right to protest. The current situation cannot continue,” Neslin, a project manager who lives in the Montreuil area, told Euroneuz.
“But I don’t think we should destroy or destroy things. Who’s going to pay? Because it’s the US taxpayers. I understand anger, but it’s not that we can change things.”
The nationwide protests organized through social media and telegram channels without central leadership emerged after the collapse of the government on Monday and President Emmanuel Macron’s swift appointment of longtime ally Sebastian Le Corneux as new prime minister.
“The lockdown is not tolerated,” warned the resigning Home Minister Brunoretelow after the Ministry’s Crisis Force was called up at 9am on Wednesday.
What does “block everything” mean?
The leaderless movement gained momentum from inflation, anger over austerity measures and what supporters call the dysfunctional political class. Unlike the structured 2018 Yellow Vest protest, “Block Everything” appeared this summer with less organizational but important online support.
Two major unions, CGT and SUD, supported Wednesday’s action, with a wider strike planned for September 18th. IPSOS polls showed that 46% of French people support the movement. This includes more than half of the rally voters, mostly on the left.
Healthcare workers and pharmacy workers are protesting cuts in medical rebates, with unions warning that 6,000 of France’s 20,000 pharmacies could be closed.
Bayrou’s collapsed government had proposed cutting two bank holidays to reduce the public deficit in France amid measures that sparked widespread rage. Some protesters have requested that Macron dissolve the legislature and call for a snap election.
“It’s time for Macron and the politicians to realize we’re serious,” university student Thomas told Euroneus before Wednesday’s protest. “We’re angry at the political system and the fact that the ultra-rich people and businesses aren’t paying enough taxes.”
