In France, wage protests grew: pepper spray in Paris, 40 injured in Lyon
In France, workers protesting the high cost of living and low wages went on strike nationwide at the call of the unions. A large gap emerged between the union and the government over participation in actions organized at more than 200 sites. While police used pepper spray and batons against demonstrators in Paris, in Lyon 34 police and 40 people were injured.
The strike organized in France over demands to raise wages and halt budget cuts to public services caused tensions to rise on the streets.
The actions involving workers from different sectors, notably education, transport, and media, spread to cities such as Marseille, Lille, and Rennes in addition to the capital Paris. Within demonstrations supported by the Yellow Vests and students, marches were held at more than 200 points across the country.
Participation in the protests: Union reports 1.6 million, government reports 600,000.
France's largest workers' organization, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), announced that 1.6 million people took part in the countrywide demonstrations.
The Interior Ministry, however, announced at 17:00 local time that the number of participants in the actions was approximately 600,000. Thus a clear discrepancy appeared between union and government data on the size of the protests.
Police in Paris used pepper spray and batons.
The actions in the capital Paris began with an orchestra concert held at around 14:00 in Cumhuriyet Square. Protesters marched toward Millet Square with banners bearing French flags and various slogans.
During the march, police intervened with pepper spray and batons against some protesters. Similar scenes unfolded in Lille and Rennes. In Lille, some protesters were taken into custody after being brought to the ground.
In Rennes, barricades were erected at various points from early morning to block traffic. The prefecture said security forces intervened to remove the barricades.
In the prefecture's statement, the incidents were condemned, noting that union members had their faces assaulted by masked individuals. It was reported that dozens of people accused of damaging a hotel were also taken into custody.
In Lyon, 34 were police officers, 40 people were injured.
Among the cities where violent incidents occurred, Lyon's toll grew heavier. According to the Rhone Prefecture's statement, 34 of the 40 injured during the demonstrations were security personnel.
While five workplaces were damaged in the incidents, the police detained 24 people.
Due to the protests, more than 70,000 police and gendarmerie officers were deployed nationwide.
Prime Minister will meet with unions.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is expected to meet with union representatives in Paris on November 9.
The meeting will address wage and purchasing‑power issues and evaluate solution proposals for workers’ demands.
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