Now THIS is a protest!!

[im10ashus]

PARIS, March 18 — Students, joined by teachers, workers, retirees, opposition politicians and labor union leaders took to the streets of more than 100 cities and towns throughout France on Saturday in the latest nationwide protest against the government's new youth labor law.

The demonstrations were the broadest show of opposition in the past week of protests that have shut down dozens of universities and confronted Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin with one of the most serious crises in his 10 months in office.

President Jacques Chirac appealed for the marchers to show "calm and respect," as security police officers in riot gear were out in full force throughout France.

Authorities are on alert for "professional thugs" after street fights broke out late Thursday in Paris that forced the police to use tear gas and water cannons to quell the violence.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/19/international/europe/19paris.html?hp&ex=1142744400&en=147b61fb6484663b&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Warren Stupidity]

1. I am so jealous.

They own their country and are not about to let the corporate creeps take over. Go France!

[im10ashus]

2. Some serious clashes going on.

Another pic.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. I think the state will back off.

Lesson learned, for now. Vigilence required, always.

[Cleita]

9. The French are serious protestors.

My mother, when visiting Paris, decided to stay on the Left Bank to be a bit adventurous and got caught up with student protests. She barely got out before the rioting started. This was back in the sixties. I forget what it was about.

[im10ashus]

10. They are really turning out tonight.

Some more pictures.

[tocqueville]

14. squirmishes with professionals

they are off no, according to TV

[tocqueville]

16. some maths about the size of protests

France : 60 000 000
USA 300 000 000

in France a 1 million march in Paris and about half a million in all major towns is considered a warhing level for the governmrnt to negotiate. It makes about 2% of the population.

to get to the same level in Washington you need to gather 6 millions.

[Cleita]

3. I can't help but notice that their labor laws are far more

advanced that ours. I wonder too why the NY Times would give such good coverage of protests in France and pretty much ignore ours.

[malaise]

One day soon the NYT and other US media

will have no choice but to cover protests in the US.

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. That's what I believe too. The time is near.

[im10ashus]

6. They are trying to make them work for free for 2 years.

I don't know how that is more advanced. :shrug:

[Cleita]

11. I was referring to the fact that they had such laws in place before

they got changed, which according to the article was the reason for the protests. We don't have anything like that and while our labor laws are being eroded, no one is protesting like that. Like, back in the seventies, any worker had to be paid time and a half for any work past eight hours in a day and forty hours in a week. I think this law has been struck down.

[im10ashus]

13. I see what you are saying.

Hope I didn't sound harsh. Here is a tidbit from another article:

For British or American workers used to more open labor markets and fewer protections, the notion that their first job might not last long — and definitely won't last for life — may not seem strange.

But French youths are aghast that the protections afforded to their parents — however unaffordable in today's ultra-competitive global economy — are slipping out of reach.

They see jobs and economic growth shifting to rising powers like China, with its legions of cheap laborers and a Communist Party that forbids them from unionizing, and wonder how they will survive. For many, globalization is a threat, not an opportunity.

Chirac's government says it is precisely because of the challenge of globalization that France must reform. But the youths — who fear becoming as disposable as tissue paper — aren't buying it.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060317/ap_on_re_eu/france_not68_2




Protesters climb the Nation's Place statue following a demonstration with more than 500,000 students and workers in Paris, France, the biggest show of anger yet at the 'First Job Contract', a jobs plan known as CPE, that has led to street violence and threatens to weaken the government, Saturday, March 18, 2006. The placard reads ' Sarkoland is watching you, resist'. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

[tocqueville]

12. no it's not like that

the only controversial point is that the employer could fire the person WITHOUT A MOTIVE within the two first years. The person is hired at a normal wage and has unemployment benefits after 6 months.

The basic problem is that the other type of contract makes it difficult and costly for the employer to fire somebody. Which is good in a society with full employment, but makes it very difficult for employers to recruit and thus increases the unemployment.

The lack of motive is BTW illegal according to European conventions. If the government hadn't been akward in the passing of the law and had made a motive necessary (thus granting to possibility to appeal) all this conflict had never happened.

France has its own morons in charge too, if that can be of some help for those who despair about the US leadership.

[im10ashus]

15. Viva la France!

:hi:

Thanks for your perspective.

[Mrspeeker]

5. Viva la revolution

Now we cant let france have all the fun, lets show washington that we will not bow down before this president!
I leave now to head to SF for the protest and its a nice day, hopefully lots of people will come out!

[im10ashus]

8. Welcome to DU!

Take lots of pictures at the protest. I am going to the one here in NYC tomorrow. :hi: