Protests erupted across France on Wednesday as demonstrators took part in the “Block Everything” movement. The protesters disrupted traffic, set fires, and clashed with police. They are expressing anger at the government and planned budget cuts.
Authorities deployed tens of thousands of security forces to prevent blockades. About 200 people were arrested. In Paris, police used tear gas to disperse youth protesters blocking a high school entrance. Firefighters removed debris from barricades. Around 1,000 protesters were stopped from entering Gare du Nord train station.
Violence and Damage Across Cities
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau reported that protesters set a bus on fire in Rennes. Some police officers were attacked with cobblestones. He warned that future rallies could see infiltration by extremist groups.
The protests emerged online in May among right-wing groups. They have since been taken over by left-wing and far-left activists.
The unrest comes after parliament ousted Prime Minister Francois Bayrou over his debt-reduction plans. President Emmanuel Macron appointed Sebastien Lecornu as his new prime minister. This move sparked further anger among opposition groups.
Protesters Demand Change
Protesters blamed Macron for the country’s problems. Christophe Lalande, a teacher in Paris, said the government should fund schools and hospitals. Unionist Amar Lagha said, “There is no resignation. The fight continues. If we have to die, we’ll die standing.”
In Nantes, Montpellier, Bordeaux, and Toulouse, demonstrators blocked highways, set tires on fire, and built barricades. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds. Traffic disruptions were reported in Marseille, Lyon, and other major cities.
A Movement Echoing the Yellow Vests
The “Block Everything” movement is being compared to the 2018 “Yellow Vest” protests. That movement started over fuel price hikes but grew into broader opposition to Macron’s economic reforms. Analysts see the current unrest as a sign of growing public frustration with the government and austerity policies.
