Why France Is Protesting: Cities Shut Down, Roads Blocked, Hundreds Detained
France saw massive unrest as the “Block Everything” movement shut down roads, rail, and public transport across major cities. Riot police clashed with protesters, making hundreds of arrests, while anger grows over austerity plans and President Macron’s leadership.
New Delhi: France witnessed a day of nationwide disruption on Wednesday as the “Block Everything” (Bloquons Tout) movement spread across major cities, leaving transport paralysed and streets filled with tear gas and burning barricades. Protesters, furious over austerity measures and political instability, clashed with riot police in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Nantes, and other hubs, leading to hundreds of arrests.
How it started
The protests began online months ago and quickly snowballed into a grassroots campaign against former Prime Minister François Bayrou’s controversial 2026 budget proposal. The plan, which included €44 billion in cuts, a freeze on pensions, reduced healthcare funding, and the scrapping of two public holidays, was seen by many as an attack on ordinary citizens. Although Bayrou was ousted after losing a confidence vote, his replacement — Emmanuel Macron’s close ally Sébastien Lecornu — has done little to calm public anger.
Protests Block Roads and Rail Across France
Protesters blocked highways, train stations, and city centres. In Paris, crowds rolled garbage bins into the streets, lit fires, and blocked entrances at Gare du Nord, one of Europe’s busiest stations. Highways in Lyon and Marseille were shut down, while in Rennes, a bus was torched. Even the A10 motorway near Poitiers and key viaducts in Caen were temporarily closed, causing chaos for commuters.
Unions, including the CGT and Sud-Rail, backed the protests, with rail workers and students joining in. Authorities estimated around 100,000 people participated nationwide.
Police Crack Down on Protesters
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau deployed 80,000 officers nationwide, including 6,000 in Paris. Riot police fired tear gas, used water cannons, and made over 470 arrests, with more than 200 in the capital alone. Thirteen police officers were reported injured.
Some demonstrations remained peaceful, with thousands marching through Paris carrying signs such as “Tax the rich” and “Macron resign.” Others turned violent, with fires, vandalism, and clashes in several cities.
Echoes of the Yellow Vests
The movement has been compared to the 2018–2019 Yellow Vest uprising, but observers note key differences. While the Yellow Vests were largely driven by fuel taxes and working-class frustration, the current protests have a younger base — students, left-wing activists, and unions — who are more politically radical and mobilised through social media.
Economic and political fallout
The unrest comes just as Macron installed Sébastien Lecornu as France’s fifth prime minister in two years. Many see his appointment as more of the same, fuelling anger rather than easing it. With France’s debt at 114% of GDP and public trust at a low, analysts warn the crisis could deepen if the government fails to find a way forward.
Travel and business were also hit hard. Flights and trains were delayed, Eurostar passengers faced blockages, and businesses reported vandalism. Economists fear the damage could cost millions, adding to memories of the Yellow Vest protests that caused €250 million in damages.
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What’s Next for France?
Unions have already announced more strikes for later this month, including air traffic controllers on September 18 — a move that could disrupt thousands of flights across Europe. Opposition leaders Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Marine Le Pen are calling for snap elections , while protesters vow to keep pressure on the government.
For now, Macron remains defiant, but the “Block Everything” protests show no signs of ending — and could mark the start of another long season of unrest in France.
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