Oh, la vache. How France loves its strikes.
Battles are being fought between the government and the people about the retirement age. Sarkozy wants to increase the age from 60 to I think 65, while of course the majority of the population doesn't want that to happen. Even though it was only moved down to age 60 in the 80s in the first place, people are angry. For the past few weeks, people have been striking everywhere, in every industry, which has given us a good laugh. Two weeks ago, Tom and I walked through Bellecour, the central square of downtown, during one of the first official days for the strike. Organizations against later retirement were out waving banners, yelling into megaphones, and marching to show solidarity. The Communist Party was also out marching. You might be asking yourself what the direct link is between the Communist Party and the retirement age. I've been asking myself the same question, and my answer is to "show solidarity," or really to remind people that they exist. Any excuse is a good one not to work and promote your political cause, so hey, why not?
On Tuesday, a day when grocery stores are usually empty, I decided to do my shopping. Bad idea. I forgot about the strike. Apparently everyone decided to "show solidarity" by not going to work and instead doing something a little more practical, like grocery shopping. Then I walked by Bellecour again to find the same thing, but this time there was a food truck and a band. Why not take the opportunity to have a party?!
Right now outside of our window there was just a small student riot. A handful of riot police pulled up, got out their weapons and armor, and arrested a few people. Again, you might be asking yourself what students have to riot about. They're nowhere near retirement age. Perhaps some of their teachers didn't show up, so they're upset about not being able to go to school. Right.
Any excuse is a good one not to work and to stir up a little trouble, or just to have a party! As the Beastie Boys so eloquently put it, "You've got to fight for your right to paaarty!"
Here are some pictures of the strike/party in Bellecour over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, the party has degenerated into riots, which have been all over the news here and a little in the U.S. Youths have been burning and flipping cars, throwing trash in the streets, and trying to attack the policemen. Now riot police are stationed all over the city and the two groups have been clashing for days. I've been taking pictures of the kids on our street from the safe distance of my apartment, but even on our street 2 cars were burned and someone's smart car was flipped over. Apparently they're using the opportunity of the general strike to show their anger with the government about not having enough jobs, but really I think a lot of them just like causing trouble and thinking that they're a part of some revolution. Of course, when they get violent then other things shut down, like transportation in the center of town, where we live. So when there are riots we also lose transportation.
the flipped car above
Here come the police.
They block the road and make an arrest.
Someone's car still gets burned.
We read in the paper that this helicopter is the police trying to keep track of the rioting kids from above because apparently they're very mobile. This way when the group disbands, the police can still chase and arrest some.
I'm not sure if the smoke is cars burning, tear gas the police were shooting at the kids, or things the kids were setting on fire and throwing at the police. I didn't go anywhere near it.
