Firecrackers, slogans & scuffles: Students launch anti-labor reform protest in Paris
Scores of students have taken to the streets of Paris to protest unpopular labor reforms recently proposed by the French government. Several firecrackers have been reportedly fired from the crowd of demonstrators.
A heavy police presence was reported in the center of the French capital.
LIVE on #Periscope: @NastiaChurkina at Paris student protests, hundreds of people take part https://t.co/VclnPThrWU
— RT (@RT_com) March 9, 2016
RT’s Anastasia Churkina has been reporting on the protest via Periscope.
scuffles between several students & police in Paris already, 6mins into demo pic.twitter.com/SMBjRsTOV2
— Anastasia Churkina (@NastiaChurkina) March 9, 2016
The protesters have attempted to smash an ATM , Churkina reports.
protester in #Paris tries to smash ATM, another jumps at camera filming it... sound grenades going off #LoiTravail
— Anastasia Churkina (@NastiaChurkina) March 9, 2016
The crowds were chanting “High schools, universities, workers, unemployed unite!” France 24 reported.
Les cortèges continuent de converger vers République #LoiTravail#greve9marspic.twitter.com/WwhhjsLJig
— Jonathan RT France (@Jonathan_RTfr) March 9, 2016
The students are protesting against labor law reforms proposed by Labor Minister Myriam El Khomri. The French government is desperately trying to battle high unemployment in the country, and has suggested cutting overtime pay for work beyond 35 hours.
Les premiers #fumigènes sont sortis dans le #cortège#manif9mars#manif#LoiTravailpic.twitter.com/2cxGzqq8gQ
— Fabien Buzzanca (@FBuzzanca_RT) March 9, 2016
#LoiTravail#manif9mars#greve9mars#Rennespic.twitter.com/sHDuvgg0VY
— Sur Écoute (@SurEcoute_RCR) March 9, 2016
Also according to the proposed reforms, employers would pay only 10 percent of overtime bonus, instead of the current 25 percent.
#Paris police completely unable to block traffic as protesters march toward Place de la Republique pic.twitter.com/EGod0cEzDU
— Joseph Bamat (@josephbamat) March 9, 2016
Earlier, French President Francois Hollande said the reforms would help employees “have more job stability.”
“We must also give companies the opportunity to recruit more, to give job security to young people throughout their lives, and to provide flexibility for companies,” he said.
Students in #Paris march against French bill to help businesses fire and hire workers more easily pic.twitter.com/pMieoylbLB
— Joseph Bamat (@josephbamat) March 9, 2016
The protests were partially organized by a Facebook community called ‘Loi travail : non, merci’ (Labor reform: No, thanks). Arguing that the reforms concern all French citizens, the group has started a petition which has so far been signed by over 1 million people.
Slogans, firecrackers and flares. Protesters caught police completely off guard pic.twitter.com/gLtG18HTML
— Joseph Bamat (@josephbamat) March 9, 2016
Rallies are also taking place in other cities across France, including Rennes, Montpellier and Toulouse.
Les manifestants se rassemblent près du siège du Medef #LoiTravail#greve9marspic.twitter.com/wowj3Gkoqy
— Paul Louis (@paul_louis11) March 9, 2016
“We are employees of the future,” one Twitter user wrote, adding a photo of the demonstration in Paris.
Protesters in southern city of Toulouse have used firecrackers in their demonstration.
#LoiTravail: À #Toulouse, le cortège s'est élancé. Au moins 2,5K personnes (Provisoire) pic.twitter.com/2E3GHcx5JU
— Kevin Figuier (@Keu20Figuier) March 9, 2016
.@UTJeanJaures dans le cortège #loitravail#Toulousepic.twitter.com/FYKvTeXfQk
— Aparté (@ApartePointCom) March 9, 2016
Forte mobilisation à #Montpellier contre la #LoiTravailpic.twitter.com/V6h5MxxQmT
— Montpellier Web News (@voussaveztout) March 9, 2016