Riot police have clashed with protesters in Paris after they took to the streets in response to calls to ‘Block Everything’ over discontent with the French government.
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of the French capital and other cities, including Marseille and Montpellier, in response to the online ‘Bloquons Tout’ campaign, which is urging people to strike, block roads, and other public services.
The government has deployed more than 80,000 officers to respond to the unrest, which comes on the same day the new prime minister is being sworn in, and has seen 200 arrested nationwide so far, according to police.
Demonstrators were seen rolling bins into the middle of roads to stop cars, while police rushed to remove the makeshift blockades as quickly as possible.
Tear gas was used by police outside Paris‘s Gare du Nord train station, where around 1,000 gathered, clutching signs declaring Wednesday a public holiday.
Others in the city blocked the entrance to a high school where firefighters were forced to remove burnt objects from a barricade.
Protesters block the streets in Paris on Wednesday. Pic: AP
A policeman amid smoke on the streets of Paris on Wednesday. Pic: AP
‘Block Everything’ blockade a street in Paris. Pic: Reuters
A protester raises a red flare outside Paris’s Gare du Nord train station. Pic: Reuters
Elsewhere in the country, traffic disruptions were reported on major roads in Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, and Lyon.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau told reporters a group of protesters had torched a bus in the Breton city of Rennes.
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Protesters fill the streets and block tram lines in Montpellier, southern France. Pic: Reuters
A protester in Montpellier waves a lit flare. Pic: Reuters
Protesters hold a sign that reads: ’10 September Public Holiday!!’ in Paris. Pic: Reuters
Fourth prime minister in a year
On Monday, Francois Bayrou lost a vote of no confidence and was replaced by Sebastien Lecornu at the Hotel Matignon on Wednesday, becoming the fourth prime minister installed by President Emmanuel Macron in 12 months.
The ‘Block Everything’ rallies come amid spiralling national debt and are similar to the Yellow Vest movement that broke out over tax increases during the president’s first term.
French outgoing Prime Minister Francois Bayrou (left) with his replacement Sebastien Lecornu at Paris’s Hotel Matignon. Pic: Reuters
It first appeared online among right-wing groups in May but has since been embraced by left and far-left groups, experts say.
Crowds of protesters outside Gare du Nord in Paris. Pic: Reuters
‘Block Everything’ protesters outside Paris’s Gare du Nord on Wednesday. Pic: Reuters
A teacher, Christophe Lalande, taking part in the Paris protests told reporters at the scene: “Bayrou was ousted, [now] his policies must be eliminated.
Elsewhere, union member Amar Lagha said: “This day is a message to all the workers of this country: that there is no resignation, the fight continues, and a message to this government that we won’t back down, and if we have to die, we’ll die standing.”
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