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French police apprehended 473 individuals on Wednesday as “Block Everything” (“Bloquons tout”) demonstrators aimed to disrupt transport and daily activities throughout France. This comes two days after Prime Minister François Bayrou’s government fell due to unpopular austerity measures.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, there were 200,000 participants nationwide by late afternoon. However, the country’s largest labor union, CGT, claimed over 250,000 individuals took part.
By 6 p.m. on Wednesday, authorities recorded 812 actions, including 550 gatherings and 262 blockades. Thirteen members of the security forces were reportedly slightly injured.
To maintain order, 80,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed as thousands of protesters marched in Paris and other French cities.
The lack of leadership in the protests resulted in various groups of demonstrators organizing different actions in the capital, which were quickly disbanded by the police.
Some set fires, erected barricades, and attempted to block Paris’ ring road, Europe’s busiest urban motorway.
Early in the morning, protesters lit trash bins on fire and tried to obstruct tram tracks near the Porte de Montreuil in eastern Paris before the police intervened.
Demonstrators also attempted to block traffic on the highway, but law enforcement prevented it.
Following an inter-ministerial crisis unit meeting, outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau stated that Wednesday’s actions were a “defeat for those who wanted to bring the country to a standstill.”
Tensions escalated at Paris’ Gare du Nord, one of Europe’s busiest train stations. The police shut access to the station as protesters tried to force entry.
Law enforcement deployed tear gas on the demonstrators, while some travelers became caught in the chaos.
The largest protests occurred around Place du Chatelet and Place des Fêtes and remained relatively calm. However, anger was still palpable throughout the day.
‘Sick of it all’
Multiple protesters told Euronews that they were angry with French President Emmanuel Macron for appointing his former defense minister and close ally, Sébastien Lecornu, as the new prime minister just a day prior.
“It’s like they’re flipping us off,” said Pierrick, a middle school teacher. Like many others at the protest, he had hoped Macron would extend a hand to the left.
The left-wing coalition New Popular Front (NFP) won the most seats last summer after Macron called for snap elections, but did not secure enough to have an absolute majority in parliament.
“I’m protesting today because we’re tired of everything,” Marie, a student and actress, told Euronews.
“Today, we’re here to show Macron that we’re done with all of this. He can’t just keep ignoring us and what the people want,” she explained, adding she was also protesting against the cuts that will affect the culture sector.
Meanwhile, an unnamed driver who took it upon himself to clear the bikes and trash cans barricading the road told Euronews he supported the demonstrations.
“I understand their anger. Something needs to change,” he said.
Other bystanders were more cautious, if not critical of the scenes unfolding on Wednesday.
“I agree that we should have the right to protest. The current situation just can’t continue,” Nesrine, a project manager who lives in the Montreuil area, told Euronews.
“But I don’t think we should vandalize or break stuff. Because who pays? It’s our taxpayers. I understand the anger, but it’s not like we can change things.”
What is ‘Block Everything’?
The leaderless movement gained momentum from anger over inflation, austerity measures, and what supporters call a dysfunctional political class.
Unlike the structured 2018 Yellow Vests protests, “Block Everything” emerged this summer with less organization but significant online support.
An Ipsos poll showed 46% of French people support the movement, including many on the left but also more than half of far-right National Rally voters.
Two major unions, CGT and SUD, backed Wednesday’s actions, while broader strikes are planned for 18 September.
Eric Challal, a representative of SUD Rail-Paris, one of the two unions that joined the protest on Wednesday, stated the organization came to express its dissatisfaction that has been accumulating for months.
“What’s being expressed today is what we’ve been feeling all summer, fed up and angry since the Bayrou budget plan was announced, asking us to work more,” Challal told Euronews.
“We’re fed up with paying, we’re working hard, we’re barely managing to keep our heads above water and to think that the hole in the deficit would be our fault is unbearable to hear.”
Bayrou’s former government had proposed slashing two bank holidays to reduce France’s public deficit, among measures that sparked widespread anger.
“It’s time for Macron and politicians to understand we are serious,” university student Thomas told Euronews before the protests on Wednesday.
“We’re angry with the political system and the fact that the ultra-rich and corporations are not paying enough taxes.”
