The essential :
- The left joined in the “march against the high cost of living and climate inaction” organized on Sunday 16 October in Paris by Nupes. Some trade union associations and federations were present. On the part of the political parties, in addition to the LFI, the socialists as well as the ecologists have responded favorably to the appeal of the leader Insoumis.
- About 30,000 people attended, police say; 140,000, according to the organizers. Arriving at Place de la Bastille shortly before 6pm, they were called by the leaders of Nupes to disperse.
- 2,000 policemen and gendarmes were mobilized. Very few overflows were to be deplored.
- On Tuesday 18 October the Nupes gave an appointment to all the demonstrators for “a general strike”.
- As for union mobilization, CGT, FSU and Sud-Solidaires refused to participate in the march, believing that the slogan had no connection with their battle for wage increases, in the midst of the fuel crisis. Instead, CGT Commerce, CGT Énergie Île-de-France and 700 trade unionists, such as the general secretary of the CGT, Céline Verzeletti, announced their participation.
19 hours 41 – Elisabeth Borne called to speak during the Nupes march
In a few moments, at 8 pm, the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, will speak on TF1. The key themes of this news coverage should, of course, be the march against the high cost of living and climate inertia, but also the government’s use of 49.3 and fuel shortages.
19h 40 – Gérald Darmanin thanks the police
In a tweet, the Minister of the Interior thanked the police for having “guaranteed the safety of people and prevented the deterioration of business during the demonstration”. Gérald Darmanin had decided to cancel a trip to the North this weekend to stay in Paris due to the risk of excesses surrounding this march. “Demonstrating is a right that the agents of the Ministry of the Interior, with courage, guarantee. Shame on the few thugs who have infringed this right”, he concluded.
18h 47 – An independent count announces 29,500 demonstrators
The protesters numbered 29,500, according to a tally made by the Occurrence cabinet for a media collective, including Agence France-Presse (AFP).
18h 40 – “You are a revolutionary sofa”, throws a yellow vest to Sandrine Rousseau
Present in the march, Sandrine Rousseau was accused by a protester, visibly by the yellow vests movement. “We didn’t see you much when we were beaten, she tells her. You’re a sofa revolutionary!”
18h 22 – At least two injured protesters
At least two protesters were injured, one of whom was shot in the head, according to a reporter from Agence France-Presse (AFP).
18h 08 – The demonstrators called to disperse
Arriving at Place de la Bastille just before 6pm, the organizers of the march against high prices and climate inaction called on the protesters to disperse. The official event is therefore coming to an end.
17h 41 – The tension erupts near the Place de la Bastille
According to several images posted on Twitter, tensions exploded upon the arrival of the Parisian demonstration in Place de la Bastille. Several police allegations were filmed.
17h38 – The Admiral’s truck has just arrived at Place de la Bastille
The Admiral truck, in which the elected representatives and representatives of the political parties followed one another all afternoon, has just arrived in Place de la Bastille, the arrival point of the Nupes march.
17h 20 – Police announce 30,000 protesters
According to the police, only 30,000 demonstrators took part in the Nupes march. In the early afternoon, the organizers had announced 140,000 demonstrators.
17h 10 – A palpable tension on the sidelines of the event
At the Bastille, tensions rise as some 400 black blocs attack a cinema. Glass bottles are thrown at law enforcement and businesses. Comparisons are observed between individuals dressed entirely in black and CRS.
16h 39 – Damage along the entire route
The damage is observed throughout the course of the event. Many tags have flourished in particular on the facades of buildings (“ecocides”, “Manu, we are hungry”, “acab”, etc.). A bank is also in the sights.
16h 35 – For Raquel Garrido, workers “have no choice but to mobilize”
“If the government raised salaries there immediately, people would go back to work. If Patrick Pouyanné accepts the 10% increase, TotalEnergies employees will go back to work. But in the meantime, we have no choice but to mobilize.” assures Raquel Garrido.
16h 33 – Clashes at the end of the procession
At the end of the march, the antifa are the majority among the demonstrators. The CRSs go into action.
16h 31 – For Raquel Garrido, this day is “a great success”
“The figures need to be refined, but I think today we are between 100,000 and 200,000 people”, cheers Raquel Garrido. “This day is proving to be a great success” and cannot be ignored by the government, assures MP LFI.
16h 19 – 140,000 attendees announced
According to the organizers, there are 140,000 participants in the Nupes march. “We have already succeeded in our bet. This is only the beginning,” said LFI MP Aurélie Trouvou, king of the march. Shortly before, Jean-Luc Mélenchon had spoken of “a huge success”.
16h 13 – Reinforced safety device
On the way, the demonstrators are checked by the police, who check in particular the contents of their baggage. A group of anti-fascist protesters is particularly noted.
