French unions are urging workers in transport, energy and education to strike this week ahead of a Nov. 5 general strike, with commuter, rail and school services at risk, The Independent reported Oct. 26.
The union calls seek government action on rising living costs, taxes and school conditions, the outlet reported. Student groups in Marseille and Lyon are preparing school walkouts alongside campus blockades, according to The Independent.
Solidaires co-leader Murielle Guilbert told BFM TV that grievances among students, workers, firefighters and others reflected an “aggregation of anger.”
In its account of the previous weekend, The Independent reported more than 1,300 arrests nationwide. The outlet put estimates of Saturday’s crowd at 400,000 to 800,000 and said 70,000 police officers were deployed.
The Independent also reported nighttime curfews in parts of Paris, Lyon, Nice and Lille. It said decrees from the Élysée limit demonstration permits to marches organized by recognized unions. EconoTimes previously covered police use of tear gas during a Lyon protest over living costs.
Further demonstrations are planned for Oct. 31, with the general strike scheduled for Nov. 5, The Independent reported.
