In Paris and other parts of France, protesters blocked roads, ignited fires, and clashed with police who deployed tear gas on Wednesday. The demonstrations aimed to challenge President Emmanuel Macron and his new prime minister.
The protests, which originated online during the summer, created multiple areas of disruption across the country. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau reported nearly 200 arrests in the initial hours of the nationwide demonstrations. The demonstrators failed to achieve a complete nationwide shutdown, despite their professed aim of a "Block Everything" movement. Nevertheless, they disobeyed a sizable police presence of 80,000 officers who attempted to break down barricades and make quick arrests.
Retailleau said a power line was damaged, resulting in train disruptions in the southwest, and a bus was set on fire in the western city of Rennes. Protesters were accused by the minister of attempting to "create a climate of insurrection."
The protests appeared to be less intense than previous waves of unrest during Macron's presidency, such as the "yellow vest" demonstrations that marked his first term. Following the fatal police shooting of a teenager in 2023, there were riots and widespread resentment over pension reforms during later periods of unrest.
During the morning rush hour, protesters in Paris tried to block the city's beltway. They obstructed traffic, erected barricades, and hurled objects at law enforcement. This added to a sense of political crisis in France, which saw its government collapse on Monday when Prime Minister François Bayrou lost a parliamentary confidence vote.
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Macron appointed Sébastien Lecornu as the new prime minister on Tuesday, and the protests immediately presented him with a significant challenge.
The "Bloquons Tout," or "Block Everything," movement gained traction over the summer through social media and encrypted chat platforms. The movement called for a day of blockades, strikes, and other protest actions. Lacking a clear leadership structure, the movement's demands are broad, including opposition to budget plans supported by the previous government and general grievances about inequality.
The spontaneous nature of the "Block Everything" movement is reminiscent of the "yellow vests." A diverse range of individuals from various political, social, and regional backgrounds who were angry at Macron's leadership and economic inequality joined the "yellow vest" protests, which started with workers opposing an increase in the fuel tax.
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