in Lyon, anger revives mobilization

This morning, Louanne, 18, and Louise, 17, demonstrate for the first time in the streets of Lyon. The two students have never agreed with the pension reform, but until now, the first had favored her psychology courses, and the second, in a gap period, was in Switzerland. “49.3 was the last straw, they explain. We are there to fight against the bill but also against the method used to pass it. »

This Thursday, March 23 marks the ninth day of national mobilization against the pension reform, but also the first inter-union appeal since the rejection of the motions of censure and the adoption of the bill. This new demonstration comes, moreover, the day after the television interview with Emmanuel Macron, which reignited the anger.

If some have expressed it, in recent days, in spontaneous gatherings, some of which have generated degradation and tension with the police, or in blockades such as that of the Museum of Fine Arts, the demonstrators massively moved this time to proclaim this anger in the streets of Lyon: the procession, one of the densest since the beginning of the mobilizations, is estimated at 55,000 participants according to the organizers, against 50,000 on March 7, and 22 000 according to the prefecture (25,000 on March 7).

Protesters between revolt and resignation

In front of the Manufacture des Tabacs (Lyon 8), the usual place of departure, a couple holds up two signs. One takes stock of Emmanuel Macron: “Destruction of public services and social rights”when the other is worried about the future, “the extreme right will soon be at the Élysée! ».

Richard and Jocelyne, 68, are retired from national education and they are beginning their eighth day of mobilization, this time against the “contempt for democracy”. “Unfortunately, we no longer expect much from the days and even from the mandate to come, but history will remember that the people did not let themselves be walked on! »confides, with a smile, this former school teacher.

Others have not lost hope, like Franck, 49. This representative of the CGT, within the Lyon-based company BioMérieux, estimates that a “better future” is possible as long as the French have not said their last word, even if they become more virulent and “pass in force, in turn”.

As it approaches the Saxe-Gambetta metro station, where clashes regularly take place, the procession is clouded in smoke. While the heart of the parade, slowed down by the forces of order, offers a respite by dancing or singing, the leading group, esteemed “very dense” et ” at risk “ by the prefecture, repeatedly throws projectiles at the police, who respond by charging and using tear gas. A bus shelter and several bank facades will also be degraded by the “black blocks”, around La Guillotière.

Wild Gatherings Ahead

“The youth no longer have confidence in the future, so the youth, it breaks! », comments Sandrine, 61 years old and mother of 6 children, who believes that violence has become inevitable in order to be heard. As the procession arrives in dribs and drabs at its destination, on Place Bellecour, a call for a wild gathering resounds in the street.

The mother, revolted, ensures that she has already made a date for the next evenings of the week. Romain, a 20-year-old man from Lyon who was taking to the streets for the first time, will not go. But he will leave when he hears the first echoes of the mobilization figures of the day, “And that makes you smile! »he blurts out.

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Violence in the demonstrations

Opponents of the pension reform were significantly more numerous Thursday in many cities for the ninth day of mobilization, according to figures from unions and those of the authorities.

The processions were much less peaceful. Many clashes opposed Thursday in Paris, Nantes or Rennes demonstrators to the police. In Nantes, some entered the administrative court ransacking the reception and breaking windows and doors. Shops were also targeted. In Paris, the thugs, placed at the head of the procession, were much more numerous than during previous demonstrations.