Update June 23!! France backs down!! banned street protests are now allowed!!! Prepare for mass street protests!! LIVE news stream

I have 2 friends in Paris right now and neither of them are indicating that things are overtly DOOMy.

France's government is allowing trade unions to protest in Paris backtracking from an earlier police ban on the demonstration.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve personally ordered the ban but then decided to allow Thursday's protest over labour laws after an emergency meeting with the unions.

"No violence will be tolerated," said Cazeneuve on Wednesday.

The initial decision to ban the march sparked instant condemnation from lawmakers across the political divide and stirred tensions within the deeply divided Socialist Party.

Philippe Martinez, leader of the hardline CGT union, claimed "a victory for unions" and sought to press home the advantage with a call for direct talks with Hollande over the government's plans to make it easier to hire and fire workers.




[link to www.sbs.com.au (secure)]

France labour dispute: Dozens arrested in Paris ahead of protest

2 minutes ago [10:40 am, June 23, 2016!!]

At least 85 people were arrested in Paris as thousands took part in a protest against France's labour reforms, police said.

Many were carrying objects that could be used as projectiles, according to police, who searched protesters as they arrived at the Place de la Bastille.
The march was initially banned but ministers reversed their decision after a public uproar.

The protesters object to government reforms that make it easier for employers to hire and fire workers and relax the limit on working hours.
But French President Francois Hollande said the government would not retreat from the reform.



[link to www.bbc.com]

Last Edited by Digital mix guy Spock on 06/23/2016 10:41 AM

[from yesterday]

The unions had been demanding permission to march in Paris on Thursday, but the Socialist government -- which has mooted the idea of banning protests while the Euro football tournament is under way in France -- insisted that a stationary rally would be easier to control.

Initial reports suggested the police were set to cave in, as the government suggested alternative, more secure routes through Paris, that would help avoid the kind of destruction and violence witnessed last Tuesday.

[link to www.thelocal.fr]

2016-06-23
French unions said Wednesday the Socialist government would allow a protest march in Paris on Thursday after negotiating an alternative route for the demonstration, which was initially banned.

The head of the hardline CGT union Philippe Martinez announced the decision after an emergency meeting with Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.

"After tough talks with the interior minister, the union and student organisations obtained the right to demonstrate on a route proposed by the interior ministry," Martinez told a news conference, calling the U-turn a "victory for the unions and for democracy".

“It’s always better when we communicate (in person),” he said.


[link to www.france24.com]

live news!!

They can't move the stuff out of there fast enough.
I enjoyed the pyramid outside.

GLPers have a tendancy to overreact.

video news report from late May 2016. provides background on reasons for labor protests.

Tens of thousands of people have taken part in a protest in Paris against France's labour reforms.
About 2,000 riot police were deployed to prevent a repeat of the violent clashes during the last demonstration on 14 June.
Some 100 people were arrested before Thursday's march set off from the Place de la Bastille.
Most of those held were wearing scarves or other items which could be used to conceal their identities, police said.



[link to www.bbc.com]