wow!

There are reports of clashes in PARIS and LILLE....

Up to one and a half million out on the streets marching in protest! The authorities say just over 500,000 in total across france, with only 80,000 in Paris (as opposed to the 300,000 - 350,000 - 400,000 reported by organisations involved).

There was some trouble in Paris but so far isolated. At Le Place de la Nation police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of youths who fought with police. Around 14 arrests reported. 12 protestors and 4 police injured.

There was also touble in Marseille as protesters clashed with riot police, while protesters were also tear gassed in Rennes and Lille where clashes were more serious. In Rennes police charged protesters blocking the railway line while a group of demonstraters attacked a local office of the ruling UMP party. There were also reports of a small clash in Tours.

Either way and regardless of any clashes the stage is now set for a growing confrontation over the coming week or two...

An account from our reporter in Marseille
 http://libcom.org/blog/an-account-from-our-reporter-in-marseille/03/18/2006

Red and Black Flag flies over Marseille Town Hall.

Organisers have reported over 130,000 demonstrators in the City of Marseille this afternoon, the largest demonstration outside Paris. The demonstration left the Porte D`Aix, under Marseilles own Arc de Triomphe at 3 p.m. to take a circular route around the city to arrive at the Vieux Port.

As the crowds dispersed a small group of youths then left the main group and succeeded in entering the City Hall overlooking the port. To applause from others they briefly flew the black and red flag of the anarchist group alternatives libertaires from the ceremonial balcony before the CRS police were called and evacuated by force the symbolic demonstration. A number of arrests were made.

Jean-Paul Gaudin, Mayor of Marseille, Deputy Leader of the UMP ruling party, Vice President of the French Senate, and member of Opus Deii was as yet unavailable for comment.
As we go to press violent conflict has erupted in Paris at the Place de Nation where this afternoons demonstration ended earlier. French Television is showing images of the square with massed ranks of CRS police partially hidden behind dense smoke and tear gas. Currently there are around 300 demonstrators in the centre of the square, surrounded by CRS police.

Libcom reports more numbers for todays demonstrations - with 30,000 marching in the northern city of Caen and 9000 in nearby Rouen. 7000 are reported marching in the Breton town of Angers.