No need for cars, ride a bike!

A group of cyclists in Lyon advocate bike-riding over driving a car. Omar, a young man involved in a bike-making group, says using a bike to get around is practical and fun.

Omar explains that the public transport system in Lyon makes cars virtually unnecessary, and that it is very easy and often faster to bike. Cycling also saves on valuable resources and avoids creating pollution from gas emissions.

“It is more environmentally friendly to ride a bike. Plus, it is fun,” exclaims Omar. He points out some of the more interesting bike models, which are high-seated and marked with various funny pictures and words.  

The group bikes through the city, some of them wearing costumes. A couple of cyclists pull wagons with signs reading, “Your car stinks” and “Veloution,” a play on words meaning bicycle revolution.

The group also advocates more bicycle paths to make bike-riding more accessible and attractive to the public.

The bicycle making workshop “L’atelier du chat perché” runs every Monday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at 84 Avenue Lacassagne. 

Lyon festival protests domestic violence

Break the Silence Festival took place this week in Lyon, France to raise awareness about violence against women. In 2009, 140 women in France were killed in domestic violence disputes.

The festival, which centered around International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25), began earlier this week and finished today. Various organizations and about 100 artists worked together to put on a variety of shows, plays and concerts throughout Lyon and its suburbs.

A parade accompanied by a Brazilian drumming band worked its way from Place Bellecour to Place Louis Pradel, ending the festival on a noisy note. High school students from Lyon’s suburb Vénissieux performed a dance show, which was followed by a brief speech depicting some of the women killed by domestic violence in 2009. White-clad demonstrators with masks represented the dead women.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/300818#ixzz16zYCN9pY

"Domestic violence kills one woman in France every two days"

"Domestic violence - break the silence"

High School students from Venissieux, a suburb of Lyon, dance during the parade.

140 women in France were killed during domestic violence disputes in 2009.

Ski station in downtown Lyon

 A make-shift ski station with an eleven meter ramp has been installed at Place de la République in downtown Lyon. Trois Vallées ski resort invites the public to participate in down-hill skiing, biathlon, luge and free style. The station will remain in place for the public to enjoy from November 23 to 27.       

Photo Essay: Lyon Retirement Reform Protests Weaken

On Nov. 23, between 3200 and 7000 people in Lyon, France came out to protest against the new retirement reform law. The French government changed the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62 and the maximum age from 65 to 67 in mid-November. The protest began at Saxe Gambetta and continued to Cordeliers, where the various union groups conglomerated in front of the Palais du Commerce. Several important labour unions were present, including CGT (General Labour Union) and CFDT (French Democratic Labour Union). However, Unions FO (Labour Force) and CGC (General Salaried Employee Union) did not participate in the demonstration. It appears the unions are no longer unified as some withdrew from the movement after the law was passed. Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/300601

"High School St. Rom taking up the fight."

"Fat pigs get rich off our money. Retirement reforms imposed
by those hiding out. Maggoty banker accomplices."

"Down with misery and dictatorship!"
"Blocking, sabotaging, wild strike!"

You can see the famous Basilique de Fourviere in the background.

Cordeliers, Lyon in front on the steps of Palais du Commerce.

Opinion: The French Tradition of Striking

"Striking is our national sport," a French friend joked to me recently. I have lived and worked in Lyon, France for over 2 years, and it does seem as though there is always some kind of strike or protest going on. Everyone is forced to notice because we are unable to get from one place to another efficiently. It is not uncommon for those who take the train to stay home from work on these occasions.

Recently, the strikes in France regarding retirement reforms have taken a place in the international spotlight. Many North Americans sigh in exasperation when they hear that the French are striking, AGAIN. It may be hard for us to feel sympathetic about the minimum retirement age being moved up from 60-62 when we know that the French have 35 hour work weeks and get at least 5 weeks of holiday a year. We may also guffaw when we remember that the French football team went on strike during the World Cup this year after a dispute with their coach.

On one hand, I feel annoyed about the frequency of strikes and protests because of the inconveniences they cause, and because I think the French are actually very lucky to have such great social benefits and programs.

On the other hand, I see the value of the French practice of striking. France has what it has—Universal healthcare, free University education, excellent unemployment benefits, a minimum of 5 weeks of holidays a year, and 35 hour work weeks—because of a long tradition of people willing to act in order to make new ground or to protect what they already have.

The French custom of striking seems to be passed down from generation to generation. Parents often bring their children with them to strikes, instilling in them early this particular tradition. This culture of protest took root with the French Revolution in 1789. France was the first country in Europe to break free from the bonds of feudalism, and since this oppressive time, French people have nurtured a wariness of authority and a strong willingness to fight for their rights. Throughout history, this revolutionary streak has reappeared. During the Nazi occupation of France in WWII, an important resistance movement developed in the free-zone in and around Lyon. As well, the great strikes of May 1968 heralded major changes for workers rights and witnessed a shedding of traditional morality for more modern ideals.

While the French are proud of their revolutionary past, they are also able to make fun of themselves. When the footballers went on strike earlier this year, many French people rolled their eyes or made a crack at their reputation as "un pays des râleurs" or "a country of moaners and complainers."

As a North American living in France, I have learned that it is necessary to take these events in stride--to view the French practice of striking in its historical context and to choose to be amused rather than annoyed when my plans get marred. The French have a long history and tradition of striking, and I guess that this is just, well, one of the many charms of French culture.

Photo Essay: Lyon Retirement Reform Protest

Protesters against the retirement reforms in Lyon aren't giving up without a fight. Despite the National Assembly's vote in favour of the reforms and the dwindling of the movement during the All Saints Holidays, between 9 500 and 22 000 people still came out to protest today (according to Metro France). They started at Place Jean-Jaures, proceeded up rue Cours-Gambetta, and finally gathered at Place Bellecour. The various groups of protesters carried an array of signs, reading: "We refuse to pay for the crisis" and "Sarkozy Destitution". The long stream of protesters were accompanied by marching drummers, a flag spinner, bands playing on floats, and even small fireworks.

"For the right to retire at 60"

This little dog led the way to Place Bellecour.

"At last, retirement"

Some entertainment for the protesters.

Even babies are welcome.

Fun fireworks at Place Bellecour.

"Gang-banging of the nation."

"No reforms. The age stays at 60."

"And those who started working young?" "And those who suffer unemployment?"

"Sarkozy neither God nor Master"

French Opinion on Retirement Reforms

Protests over retirement reforms to raise the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62 and the maximum retirement age to from 65 to 67 have been gaining momentum as the date to vote on the bill draws near. According to recent polls, 70 percent of French people object to the reforms. Indeed, most of the people I have talked to, from musicians to engineers to business executives, have expressed their opposition. 

Strikers explained to me that French people have to work a certain number of terms in order to qualify for a full pension. With the new reforms, this number has risen to from 40 to 42 years. This means that if people spend more time in University completing Master or Doctorate degrees before entering the work force, they may have to wait until 67 in order to receive their full pension. The protesters are also concerned that people who begin working at very early ages or who have physically demanding jobs will be forced to retire at 62 instead of 60.

As well, Government officials tend to get significantly better pensions and are able to retire much earlier. For example, SNCF workers (Railway Transportation) are able to retire at 57 on a full pension. In the public sector, the pension a person receives is a percentage of their salary based on their last six months of work. In the private sector, pensions are based on the best 25 years of a person's career.

In a country where striking has been referred to as the national sport, the protesters are not giving up without a fight. Parents even bring their children to  protests, instilling in them early the culture of striking. They bear signs that read: “I am 11 years old. I’d better start working now if I want to get a full pension” and “By the time I retire, I won’t remember how old I am.”

However, some people also recognize the need for the reforms. A engineer told me: “Of course we don’t want to retire later, but maybe we need to face the truth that it is necessary.” France’s National Debt is staggering and life expectancy is increasing. With a predicted ratio of two working people for every retired person in the years to come, the Government will be hard-pressed to find the funds to support  its growing number of retirees. 

A Retrospective on the Riots

Photo by M. Cosgrove, Lyon

Earlier this week, protests against retirement reforms took a violent turn, especially in Lyon. Groups of teens known as “les casseurs” (literally translated as “the breakers”) took to the streets to carry out their very own protests, which involved damaging property, and more specifically: burning cars, breaking store windows, and walking out with TV sets and video game consoles.

According to Metro Lyon, a Saleswoman whose shop had been broken into was casually asked where the accompanying controller to a PS3 console could be found.

In the centre of town, roads were blocked off, a helicopter flew over-head, and police patrolled in large groups, equipped with shields, helmets, gas, batons, and guns with rubber bullets. Some 290 youths were arrested.

The general opinion among the French public seems to be that "les casseurs" are misguided youths, who, as one peaceful protester put it, "found a good excuse to skip class and break things." Numerous other peaceful protesters expressed that they were ashamed of recent political events and the attention they received in international news.

However, many of the teens protested and continue to protest in a peaceful fashion. They have a valid concern that young adults may suffer unemployment in the years to come. The logic is that there will be less available jobs for youths since older people will be staying in the workforce for longer periods of time.

Several unions and socialist politicians have been heavily criticized for inciting these youths to do what some say they did not have the courage to do themselves. According to Digital Journal, Ségolène Royal, socialist candidate for the 2007 presidential election, stated that adolescents are capable of thinking for themselves and that she had asked them to protest peacefully.

Retirement Reform Buzz

Protests over retirement reforms in France have recently taken the spotlight in international news. French news reports are comparing the current political climate to the uproar caused by the 1995 strikes under the Chirac administration.

The Government's plan to raise the minimum retirement age from 60-62, and the maximum retirement age from 65-67, has not been well received by the public. Sarkozy remains adamant that this reform is necessary to help reduce public spending, especially in light of the growing National debt and increasing life-expectancy.

The National Assembly is expected to vote on the reforms on Wednesday of next week. As the date approaches, protesters and unions, notably in the Energy and Transportation sectors, rally together. Millions of people from both private and public divisions, as well as High School students, have taken to the streets.

Transportation has been heavily disrupted, and half of all national and regional trains have been cancelled or delayed. However, flights from Roissy and Orly Airports appear to be running on schedule.

Oil refineries are on strike and 1 in 4 petrol stations have run dry. With the half-term school holidays just around the corner, people are rushing to petrol stations to fuel up.

Earlier this week, groups of teenage protesters began rioting, burning cars and looting shops, most noticeably in Lyon. The downtown district of Lyon has been blocked off by police since Tuesday, and metro lines no longer run through this area of the city. Some 290 youths have been arrested.

The country is gearing up for another few weeks of strikes. Official protests have been organized for October 28 and November 6.

Senate votes to pass Burqa ban in France

On Sept. 14, the French Senate voted 246 to one to pass a bill prohibiting Muslim women from wearing Burqas or full-face veils. The government cites women’s rights and secularism as reasons for the law. According to Mondialism online, 2000 women in France wear the burqa.

According to a survey by Pew Global Attitudes Project, three out of four French people support the ban. Many see it as a women’s rights concern. Last year, Fadela Amara, Minister for Urban Renewal and a supporter of Muslim women’s rights, called the burqa a “coffin which kills the fundamental rights of women", reported Mondialisme online.

The hijab or islamic headscarf, along with other religious symbols, were banned from French schools and public buildings in 2004. There is a concern that dispute over the burqa issue has added to racial and religious tensions.

According to the British online newspaper The Independent, around four to five million people make up the Muslim community in France.

The Council of Europe and Amnesty International do not support the law, nor does Britain's coalition government, according to Jurist Online. They see the ban as a violation of the rights to freedom of expression and religion.

Women seen wearing the burqa will pay a fine of 150 Euro or be asked to attend citizenship classes. Those convicted of forcing a woman to wear the veil will be fined 15 000 Euro and one year in prison. Enforcement of the new law will begin next spring.