Rioting Breaks Out in France After CPE Demos (Paris)

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. The clashes lasted for around two hours. Around 14 arrests reported. 12 protestors and 4 police injured. Later reports speak of 50+ arrests though this is unclear if it's Paris or a national total for today.

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...

leftbank

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19.03.2006 10:24

On the whole the fighting was short lived apart from Paris and respresented a tiny percentage of the overall show of force on the streets. After the Nation Square 2 hr clash in Paris some fighting continued as people fought with police near to the Sorbonne where police had bolstered their presence earlier in the day. There was also reports of small clashes in Clermont-Ferrand.

The Sorbonne was due to open after the weekend, perhaps monday or midweek, but now the authorities have said it will remain closed while trouble continues. Teachers and lecturers are offering students support, but given that the Sorbonne has been a flsh point over the last ten days or so, it looks likely the authorities will not allow it to re-open.

FIDL the high school students' union has called for a new day of action this coming Thursday if the government does not back down.

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Violence

19.03.2006 17:24

It is worth noting that the majority of demonstrators were peaceful and that violence at both Nation and Place de la Sorbonne was kicked off by a hardcore bunch (few if any of them students) out for a ruck under supposedly "revolutionary" pretences, as is so often the case unfortunately.

Going back a few days to the occupation of the Sorbonne, it is quite possible that the occupation would probably have lasted longer had a few idiots not started throwing chairs, fire-extinguishers and ladders down at the cops from the upper floors...

artaud

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