France Grinds to a Halt: All You Need to Know About 'Block Everything' Protests
France Grinds to a Halt: All You Need to Know About 'Block Everything' Protests
A nationwide day of action, dubbed "Bloquons tout" (Block Everything), swept across the country on Wednesday, fueled by social media and a deep-seated discontent with the current socio-economic climate and the French government's budget plans.
The movement organized a wide array of protests, including the blockage of transportation hubs, symbolic sites, and schools. Additionally, citizens were urged to participate in demonstrations and even a credit card strike.
Authorities deployed approximately 80,000 police and gendarme officers nationwide to manage the widespread actions.
By midday, an estimated 100,000 participants were reported across the country, leading to nearly 200 arrests, with 132 occurring in the Paris region alone.
Reports indicated significant activity, with around 8,000 people demonstrating in Marseille's city center, blockades at approximately a hundred educational institutions, slow-moving "snail" protests on major roads, and the evacuation of the Gare du Nord railway station in Paris.
Authorities maintained a close watch on "vital points of interest," such as oil refineries. Tensions flared in several cities, with tear gas being deployed by law enforcement.
Sputnik Africa correspondent captured the demonstrations at the Lyon railway station on camera
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