Sorbonne University Eviction Video + Pics and more background to CPE resistance (france)

For the last week protests, occupations and direct action against the CPE in France has been increasing. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in hundreds of demonstrations. Railways have been blockaded, airports disrupted, and around half of France's universities have seen occupations. Clashes with police have occured throughout the country.

Much international publicity has come from the occupation and violent eviction of the Sorbonne university in Paris (video below). With the media making the obvious 1968 comparisons, riot police stormed the university building firing tear gas at around 4am on Saturday after hours of resistance from the occupiers and their supporters outside. There were around 30 arrests. The university had been occupied since Tuesday night with tensions increasing. On Friday police batton charged students who were blocking a road near to the university.

pics from http://www.phototheque.org/174.html?page=1

The protests have been sparked by a new employment contract, the CPE, which is to take effect by April. The CPE would allow firms to hire people aged under 26 for a two-year trial period, during which they could be easily dismissed without a reason. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin pushed the CPE through parliament by invoking a rarely used rule allowing the majority to bypass floor debate.

The Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, said he was "deeply concerned" about the use of force by police against the Sorbonne occupation, which he said had been peaceful. Trade Unions, student groups and other organisations have responded by saying they will increase the pressure and call more demonstrations.

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VIDEO DOWNLOAD: Sorbonne Resistance:

http://thibautcho.free.fr/video/sorbonfire.wmv (5mins, 58M, wmv)

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Mainstream Video:

VIDEO: BBC Report Sorbonne Eviction:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4795648.stm

VIDEO: ITN Report Sorbonne Eviction:

http://emea-search.blinkx.com/tv/search.do?q=&channel_News_ITN=true&query=sorbonne&engine=blinkx

VIDEO: CBC Students clash with riot police

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/17/national/main563855.shtml

VIDEO: CNN report Sorbonne Eviction:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/03/11/france.protest.reut/index.html

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Libcom Coverage:

http://libcom.org/news/article.php/france-university-occupations-10032006

Libcom Daily Blog Coverage:

http://www.libcom.org/blog/

Libcom Pics:

http://www.libcom.org/gallery/v/news/france-cpe/

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More Photos:

http://www.phototheque.org/174.html?page=1

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IMCs:

http://paris.indymedia.org

http://lille.indymedia.org

http://toulouse.indymedia.org

http://marseille.indymedia.org

http://nantes.indymedia.org

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Recent IMC UK articles:

French filth riot against student revolt
11.03.2006

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/03/335606.html

Paris: Sorbonne is occupied
10.03.2006

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/03/335554.html

France: Hundreds of thousands fight attacks on young workers
10.03.2006

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/03/335558.html

Comments and news on Melbourne Indy:

http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/03/108390_comment.php

autonomous spaces

Additions

Pics from the eviction + protest

13.03.2006 14:14

compilation

mainstream news scans from AP Reuters AFP ETC
full size pics and lots more at:

http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/search?p=sorbonne&c=news_photos

pics

another post on imc uk

13.03.2006 16:26

France: Students mobilise against the CPE
10.03.2006

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/03/335556.html

Comments

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Same every year

14.03.2006 12:12

I'm sure to English eyes this looks like a great social uprising but the reality is actions of this sort take place in Paris and the Sourbonne in particular almost every year around this time.

The reason is well known to all who live there, 'Middles' would be the English translation. Mid Term exams that require the students to achieve a mark to continue receiving state funding. As the tradition is that students in France do bugger all for the first year very few can hit the score however a public protest with support from the teaching unions will most years lead to a delayed test until the Summer by which time most students will have done enough to keep their money.

The given reason for the protest is different each year but the real reason is always the same.

Hope this helps before UK activists start jumping on the Eurostar with cries of,

"To the barricades brothers and sisters"

Lived in Paris for two years (it was great !)

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News

14.03.2006 15:24

The report said these protests and riots were related to the new employment law, this is not true. At this time of the year children at the universities go out on to the streets so they can delay having to take the exams. The results of the exams will allow the grant money to be or not to be paid. These riots happen every year. This year some outside agitators increased the trouble and the CRS were needed to break up the things

Best regards

Francois

Francois

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