A network of individuals, independent and alternative media activists and organisations, offering grassroots, non-corporate, non-commercial coverage of important social and political issues.

French Students Continue CPE Resistance - Hundreds of 1000s on Streets + Clashes

Thursday 16th March Update:
Well over 250,000 students in France took to the streets in protests against the CPE around the country. That's the official estimate, groups involved put the numbers much higher (300,000 according to the student union UNEF, 500,000 according to FIDL’S, and even 600,000 according to UNL’S). 70% of universities effected by occupations and protests, schools also occupied in many places. More roads blockaded, town hall occupied in Rennes, reports of fascists attacking student protestors in several locations, heavy clashes in central Paris and at Sevres and near Sorbonne area this evening with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon used as people fought riot police from 7.30pm, CNT union members arrested, reports of up to 300 total arrests today...

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

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

From Libcom coverage:

Many of the protesters arrested arbitrarily today will be in court on March 24th at 9am. A demonstration has been called. State repression and fascist attacks are stiffening the resolve of protesters, there have been calls for better movement on the ground to prevent the police, especially the paramilitary CRS, and fascists attacking small peaceful groups of protesters. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets, day after day, a few hundred fascists and a hated police force won’t be able to hold back the anger of the people.

According to a survey by the CSA polling company set to appear in tomorrows Parisien, 68% of the French are now in favour of withdrawing the CPE, that is to say 13 points more than on March 8.

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

precarity sucks!

Additions

More info + big demos this weekend

17.03.2006 04:46

Most reports speak of 150 arrests last night and 35 police injured.

In paris estimates put numbers at 33,000 up to 120,000 approx.

Rail services were disrupted by protests and blockades in many places around the country - Guardian reports that rail authorities say this happened in a dozen towns. Reports also of clashes in Nancy and other towns.

There's bigger protests scheduled this weekend, so watch out for news on Saturday.

more

Comments

Hide the following 5 comments

give em hell!!

17.03.2006 13:00

this is amazing, there is no way the government can go ahead with this ridiculous law now. keep up the fight guys, our hearts and minds are with you!!

squirrello

to go

17.03.2006 16:14

Hehe, time for a trip to France? Wouldn't want to miss a re-run of 68 by 100 miles.

Eager

Police fortify positions around the Sorbonne ahead of weekend protests

17.03.2006 18:33

We understand that police have chosen to defend their positions around the Sorbonne University on the left bank of Paris. We believe this strategy is designed to draw those inclined to the riot towards the Sorbonne - to ensure that it becomes the epicentre of the struggle between the state and the French youth & students.
Information from Indymedia Paris:

http://paris.indymedia.org/article.php3?id_article=54127

Sorbonne barricaded: Police have reinforced barricades around the Sorbonne today, the Sorbonne is now entirely barricaded behind fixed anti-riot barriers. Place de la Sorbonne is thus completely inaccessible. Water cannons are laid out just behind, and many reinforcements of CRS and GM are deployed all around the building. There are also the police and RG everywhere in the district. At 1pm there was also a small gathering of those opposed to student blockades and strikes. The auther of the information comments “Unfortunately, these cretins did not understand that today it is not students strikers who block the Sorbonne, it is the police force!”

Main demo Paris, 14h30, place Denfert Rochereau vers la place de la Nation

List of other demos:

http://paris.indymedia.org/article.php3?id_article=54168

paris

Purpose question...

20.03.2006 19:27

Not to be rude, but do any of you have any actual idea as to the various outcomes of this law, or do you all just like breaking stuff?

Adrian

UK Indymedia