The essential :
- The left united in the Nupes organizes Sunday in Paris its “march against the high cost of living and climate inaction” with the reinforcement of associations and certain trade union federations, hoping to contribute to the social boiling of the fall. On the political party side, in addition to LFI, socialists and ecologists responded favorably to the appeal of the leader Insoumis. This is also the case for the Communists, even if their leader Fabien Roussel will not be present.
- 30,000 demonstrators are expected by the police. However, the authorities have “real fears” about “the arrival of violent people from the ultra-left, ultra-yellow vests who would like to disrupt the demonstration”. “The organizer has been warned of these fears,” added a police source to Agence France-Presse.
As far as union mobilization is concerned, the CGT, FSU and Sud-Solidaires refused to take part in the march, believing that its slogan had nothing to do with their battle for a wage increase, in the midst of fuel crisis. On the other hand, CGT Commerce, CGT Énergie Île-de-France and 700 trade unionists such as CGT general secretary Céline Verzeletti have announced their participation.
5:20 p.m. – The police announce 30,000 demonstrators
According to the police, only 30,000 demonstrators took part in the Nupes march. Earlier in the afternoon, the organizers had announced 140,000 demonstrators.
5:10 p.m. – A palpable tension on the sidelines of the event
In Bastille, tension mounts as some 400 black blocs attack a cinema. Glass bottles are thrown at law enforcement and businesses. Confrontations between individuals dressed entirely in black and CRS are observed.
4:39 p.m. – Damage along the entire route
Damage is observed throughout the course of the event. Many tags have notably flourished on the facades of buildings (“ecocides”, “Manu, we are hungry”, “acab”, etc.). A bank was also targeted.
4:35 p.m. – For Raquel Garrido, workers have “no choice but to mobilize”
“If the government were to increase salaries there right away, people would go back to work. If Patrick Pouyanné accepted the 10% increase, TotalEnergies employees would come back to work. But in the meantime, we have no choice but to mobilize”, assures Raquel Garrido.
4:33 p.m. – Clashes at the end of the procession
At the end of the procession, the antifas are the majority among the demonstrators. The CRS come into action.
4:31 p.m. – For Raquel Garrido, this day is “a great success”
“The figures need to be refined, but I think we are between 100,000 and 200,000 people today,” rejoices Raquel Garrido. “This day is proving to be a great success” and cannot be ignored by the government, assures MP LFI.
4:19 p.m. – 140,000 participants announced
According to the organizers, there would be 140,000 participants in the Nupes march. “We have already succeeded in our bet. This is only the beginning,” said MP LFI Aurélie Trouvou, kingpin of the march. Shortly before, Jean-Luc Mélenchon had mentioned “a huge success”.
4:13 p.m. – Reinforced security device
On their way, the demonstrators are checked by the police, who check the contents of the bags in particular. A group of anti-fascist demonstrators is particularly observed.
4:11 p.m. – Antifa vs. Brav
A Société Générale agency is vandalized to cheers. The antifas are in contact with the Brigades for the Suppression of Violent Acts (Brav).
3:53 p.m. – Philippe Poutou is delighted with the “success of the event” and calls for the requisition of the TotalEnergies group
For Philippe Poutou, the demonstration of the day is only a stage. “When the revolt begins to emerge from the ground, we must not let go and go to the end,” he assured. “The social movement is raising its head,” welcomed the spokesperson for the New Anti-Capitalist Party, before calling for the requisition of the TotalEnergies group. “Our 49.3 to us is the general strike. It is the blocking of the economy”, he also decreed.
3:49 p.m. – Olivier Faure asks for “the right to rest”
Olivier Faure called on the French to “fight together” for unemployment insurance and “the right to rest”, “so that everyone can retire in good health”.
3:47 p.m. – Tear gas
At Trousseau Square, a few steps from Place de la Bastille, the police fired tear gas and put an end to an attempt to build a Vélib’ barricade.
3:44 p.m. – Olivier Faure salutes the union of the left on this day of demonstration
“We are together because we believe that the common causes we support are worth more than everything else,” said Olivier Faure.
3:40 p.m. – Jean-Luc Mélenchon called for a “serious plan against climate inaction”
Jean-Luc Mélenchon called for a “serious plan against climate inaction” at the conclusion of his speech during the Nupes march. The LFI deputy also called for “convergence”. “Don’t resign yourself! Another life is possible. Another world is possible! We can if we want to. The Popular Union can become a Popular Front and we all want it,” he said. The demonstrators responded to him by chanting “L’Union populaire!” for long seconds.
3:37 p.m. – “Hands off pensions”, chants Jean-Luc Mélenchon
“With what we are doing today, we are designing the construction of a new Popular Front, which will exercise power in its country when the time comes. But which, as always, will take care first of all the poor people who cannot defend themselves to obtain higher wages, price freezes and the restoration of wealth tax”, promised Jean-Luc Mélenchon, before chanting: “Hands off the pensions Mr. Macron, or he will piss you off!”
3:34 p.m. – Jean-Luc Mélenchon calls for “the fight”
“You are going to live a week like we don’t often see, we are the ones who are starting it with this march which has mobilized the people. The people are the employees, but all the others that we are responsible for. ‘Call for struggle,’ urged Jean-Luc Mélenchon, calling on demonstrators to participate in the October 18 strike: “Don’t miss it, don’t leave your place in the fight to others.”