MSeely Photography

France: Large-Scale National Strike

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On September 18, 2025, a large-scale national strike and protest took place in Paris against the government's budget cuts, with protests organized by unions and other groups. The demonstration started at Place de la Bastille and ended at Place de la Nation, with widespread participation from various sectors, including teachers, transport workers, and students.

Reason for the protest: Protesters and unions were demonstrating against the government's fiscal plans, budget cuts, and what they viewed as tax injustice, advocating for higher taxes on the wealthy and more spending on public services.
Participation: Authorities expected a large turnout, estimating 600,000 to 900,000 participants nationwide, with 50,000 to 100,000 in Paris. The protest involved unions representing teachers, train drivers, pharmacists, and hospital staff, who went on strike to oppose the new budget cuts.
Route: The main demonstration in Paris marched from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Nation via Boulevard Beaumarchais, Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, Boulevard du Temple, and Place de la République.
Impact: The strike caused significant disruption to public transport, with major delays expected on the RATP and SNCF networks. As a result of the clashes, French police arrested 181 people nationwide.
Black-clad agitators: News reports mention police confronting ''troublemakers dressed in black who hurled beer cans and stones''. This is a tactic often associated with the Black Bloc, an anti-capitalist and anti-state anarchist movement.

 1 The police were polite and did a good job keeping everything organized from the sidelines. They monitored everyone coming into the protest route. 
  		 
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 4 Some people like to smile for the camera.
  		 
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 17 This group of protesters has a van traveling along the route with them serving beverages.
  		 
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 21 I think going up seemed like a good idea. Coming down was more challenging.
  		 
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 27 Not speaking French is a huge disadvantage in this case. I'm sure he had some great stories to tell.
  		 
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 30 I think one of the Black-clad agitators. Just walking along now. The blue shade is a lens flash. He is not holding anything. 
  		 
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 31 I wish I had talked to this lady. I didn't see the meaning of the expression until later.
  		 
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33 The Place de la République was the half way point in the march. These people were just hanging out in the plaza. The many thousands of marchers were behind me heading for the Place de la Nation.
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