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.