cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/58119941

Context: Clashes, fires and looting break out as protesters rally across France, joining students - AP News

Appreciate the link, but:

Sonia Mabrouk, ... with her daughter ... to protest “everything that’s going wrong,” particularly the neglect of public services. Mabrouk, who took part in the yellow vest protests, criticized “policies that favor the rich and always hit the poorest people in their wallets.”

Many protesters could be seen wearing the fluorescent yellow vests that became a symbol of the 2018 rallies. “There’s a general sense of frustration and anger,” Mabrouk said, as she marched alongside peaceful demonstrators of all ages.

Looks to be the closest "reason" given for the protests. But I'm unclear what specific things have been happening lately to cause the protests? Is it just a general long term malaise that just wore on the worng people?

The protest origin was a push by teens for more teachers in schools, smaller class sizes, and repairs to thousands of rotting buildings. Many adults joined in solidarity very early, including Frances left wing party.

French police cracked down brutally on these children, including firing a tear gas canister at point blank range into a 15 years olds face, shattering his jaw and all of his teeth, and blowing the hand off another teenager with a concussion grenade. Only after maiming these teens did the French minister in charge of police temporarily limit just concussion grenades, all while applauding the police response. This was seen as pretty tone deaf, and enraged a lot of people.

After weeks of rioting, including blockaded and some burned school buildings and thousands of arrests of teens, Frances prime minister said they would add 3000 teachers to schools as soon as possible, and work to fix other issues. This was seen as to little, to late by many. As the article says, the protest is now widening in scope among general unrest with French's centrist, neoliberal government.

Goodness I admire the French. I was in Paris during the 2018(?) yellow vest protest. Their march ended in the square outside the place I was staying. All very spirited but peaceful. They were essentially escorted by police (I don’t know if they informed them ahead of time of the route). Every fifth or so officer was armed with a UMP (for counter terrorism reasons maybe?), most wearing partial riot gear.

After gathering in the square and doing some speeches, the march had largely ended and protestors milled around. Riot police were like “righto, cyas” hopped in their transport vans and left. Was fucking unreal. Protestors waved them off (though I’m sure some were jeering) and some of the cops were waving back from one of the vans lmao. “Same time next week?”.

Was out and about when new years hit and everyone was walking/riding about, some drunk, all wishing each other bonne année. Was an awesome experience.

I wonder if the top 5 croissants in Paris still holds up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp84sRpM1Js

One of the best YouTube videos of all time IMO.

earlier today I remember the post about the lady standing in front of the automated delivery not as a protest and someone in the comments was going on about how it's not okay because it disrupts other people, lol

When I was a student we'd riot in the clubs dancing to Whigfield - Saturday Night.

I like the sound of screeching tires from cop cars better. The kids will be alright

Peak socialism