A huge demonstration is taking place in France against the economic crisis and austerity policies. Thousands of workers, retirees, students and citizens took to the streets in more than 200 cities and towns across the country. The march, which started from the Place d’Italie in Paris, shook the entire city. The strike closed the country’s iconic tourist attraction, the Eiffel Tower. According to the French Interior Ministry, approximately two lakh protesters took to the streets across the country.
The rally, which started at 2 pm from the Place d’Italie in Paris, reached Place Vauban. The protesters lit flares, waved banners and shouted anti-government slogans. “Most of the workers were on strike, so the Eiffel Tower was locked down due to the national strike movement,” said Jean-François Martins, head of the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SET), the company that manages the Eiffel Tower.
Tourists who bought tickets online have been assured of a refund. This is the second time in recent days that the Eiffel Tower has been closed due to protests, the first being on September 18 during the Block Everything campaign. Police have deployed 76,000 law enforcement officers to prevent any violence. Earlier protesters used firebombs and tear gas.
The protests have resumed after a massive march on September 18, when more than half a million people took to the streets. Political instability in France is at its peak. The government led by President Emmanuel Macron lacks an absolute majority. Protesters displayed posters against billionaires such as LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, who are accused of using tax havens. Opposition parties and grassroots organizations have also joined the movement. Parliament will debate the budget bill by the end of the year, where unions plan to exert more pressure.
