According to our mainstream media, everything in France is running as usual, the capitalist country is just getting on with the daily exploitation of the subservient public. Of course if you look a little closer you will find that particular narrative is a load of bullshit. Once again the media propaganda machine proves it is the illusion creator for the capitalist system, by omission and false reporting.
This summary of what is really going on in France will give some idea of how far from reality or mainstream media is. It only reports revolution and insurrection in those countries that are on their list of "enemies".
Compilation of resistance in progress
The rage is infinite. Every day, a blow, a strike, a revolt in the
country. In order that the many initiatives do not fall into oblivion,
and to give an account of the social situation, here is an attempt to
compile the strikes and actions that have been taking place in France
since December 5th:
RAILWAY: RATP (public transport in Paris, Enough 14)
strikes for 45 consecutive days; Paris virtually paralysed during
public holidays. Daily blockades of bus stations, often suppressed. A
strike at the SNCF lasting several weeks, the like of which has never
been seen before. Railway workers multiplying the actions all over the
country. The strike was “interrupted” on January 20th to forcus on
blockades. On December 5, the Paris-Lyon-Marseille TGV line was
sabotaged. At the end of December, traffic on the lines in eastern
France was considerably slowed down by bang signals. Several stations
were attacked by protestors, particularly in Savenay, Bordeaux and
Paris.
ENERGY: Several blackouts in December, notably in
the Prefecture of Nantes during a demonstration and in the Bordeaux
police station. Targeted blackouts in January: at the Rungis market, the
CFDT (French Democratic Trade Union Confederation), Orly airport, etc.
Power was cut off during the “low-traffic hours” for hundreds of
thousands of households. On January 15th, the Gravelines nuclear power
plant was blocked by employees, with fireworks being fired in front of
the buildings. Other power plants threaten to shut down. In the
refineries, rotating strikes have been taking place since December. The
announced fuel shortage is not on the agenda for now.
PORTS AND DOCKS: Operation ‘ports morts’ in most
major port cities. On January 15th, in Le Havre, dockworkers attack the
New Year celebrations of the employers in the Chamber of Commerce and
Industry by throwing big fireworks and smoke. The celebrations are
cancelled. Several blockades in Montoir de Bretagne and Fos. Still in Le
Havre, the strikers invade city hall and gobble up pastries and
champagne of the mayor’s New Year reception.
EDUCATION: The premises of the academic inspection
of Alès have been walled in. Outdated books were thrown on the rectors’
offices. Various flash mobs. Selective support of high school students
who block their schools. In several schools, teachers are preventing
students from taking the baccalaureate exams from January 20th. The
minister promises “warnings” and “complaints”. Resignations demanded.
CULTURE: The Paris Opera gave a series of street
concerts. Open-air performance of “Swan Lake” with orchestra and
ballerinas at Christmas. The choir of Radio France interrupted the New
Year’s speech of the boss on January 8th with the performance of Verdi’s
“Slave Choir”. On January 17, striking technicians and artists
disrupted the programme of the Rouen Opera House and gave a concert in
the street. The Louvre is blocked. The castle of Versailles on strike.
The French National Library is on strike and has hung banners.
JUSTICE: Lawyers are camping out in front of the
court in Bobigny on January 15th. The lawyers of Paris confiscate the
files in the “comparution immédiate” (practice of immediate presentation
to a criminal judge in case of arrest), plead in many cases for
non-appearance and have the accused freed. In Rennes the lawyers plead
for the release of all foreigners who are imprisoned in prison camps. In
most courts the lawyers’ robes are laid down. The New Year’s speech of
the Minister of Justice was interrupted in Caen. All 164 bar
associations are on strike.
INDUSTRY: Work stoppages and strikes. On January 17, workers in the aeronautics industry in Clermont-Ferrand threw down their overalls.
HOTEL BUSINESS: On January 20th, Macron invites the
bosses to Versailles. Two workers refuse to serve the prime minister:
They were fired on the spot. Others write protest messages on their
plates, causing great tension in the organisation of the ceremony.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS: More than one million protestors
were in the streets on December 5. Almost 2 million on December 17. In
the following days of the general strike, more than one million people
demonstrated. Serious clashes in Paris, Rennes and Nantes in December.
Record number of burned cars on New Year’s Eve. On January 7, the
multinational BlackRock is attacked by railway workers . On January 9, several trade unionists were injured during horrific repression in Paris. Numerous offices of En Marche (La République en Marche, Macron party) were attacked. Emmanuel Macron was evacuated from a Paris theatre on January 17. A journalist arrested / The presidential restaurant La Rotonde burned down the same night. Heavy repression against the yellow vests demonstrating in Paris on January 18.
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