Bordeaux Town Hall On Fire Over The Continued French Protests

Posted by: lukwago J in World news March 24, 2023

Following the legalisation of the retirement age by two years to 64 more than a million people took to the streets across France mainly in Bordeaux town on Thursday with 119,000 in according to figures published from the interior ministry.

Police with other authorities fired tear gas at the protesters in the capital and 80 people were arrested across the country though unions have vowed to continue further protests next Tuesday which would coincide with the visiting of King Charles111’s state visit into the country scheduled in the southwest city of Bordeaux where fire engulfed the front door of the town hall.

However it’s still not clear who was responsible for the blaze though it was quickly put out by firefighters.

According to the interior minister Gerald Darmanin sought to quell any concerns ahead of the kings saying Thursday night security poses no problem and that the monarch will be “welcomed and welcomed well.”

Generally peaceful demonstrations saw occasional police clashes with masked rioters who smashed shop widows and demolished street furniture and attacked further several restaurants.

However during protests one police officer who lost consciousness was dragged to safety by fellow officers.

King Charles’s visit

Popular tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and the palace of Versailles where the dinner planned for King Charles and the French president next week were closed on Thursday.

Several other clashes occurred in the western cities of Nantes, Rennes and Lorient. “The street has a legitimacy in France ,”said a protester in Nantes.

“If Macron can’t remember this historic reality,I don’t know what he is doing here.” However the trade unions as well as the political opposition groups have deemed the day a success and promise that protests will not dwindle though they have to strategically go forward rather than promising more days like Thursday.

Ever since January they have been nine days of protests and French unions have called for the tenth next Thursday.

President Macron defended the move of legislation to raise the pension age saying the reform was a necessity though it still lacks an absolute majority.

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