3 Million Poured into the Streets of France

Tensions are rising in France shaken by the revolt of young people objecting to the new employment law.

Trade and labor unions declared a general strike yesterday, to show support to the students; three million people headed to the streets to protest the act and the government.

During the demonstrations, fights broke out between security forces and protestors, and at the end of a march in Paris the event reminded something of a war scene.

As for the government, it insists on not stepping back despite mounting tension and reactions.

Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin announced again yesterday that they will not withdraw the new labor act.

Main opposition Socialist Party leader Francois Hollande, giving his assessment on the tension to Zaman, blamed the government for “being deaf” to the screams of young French people. The Socialist leader, noting the student rebellion is dragging France into a deepening crisis, asked the government to retract the law, “Otherwise, the whole country will suffer a great deal from this.”

Daily life in the country was paralyzed due to the strike called to support the students. Three million people, according to the unions and a million according to the police, took to the streets demanding the abrogation of the work act.

Marches held across the country turned into protests against the government.

Demonstrators in Paris, referring to the two-year trial period brought by the law, shouted slogans of “De Villepin, Chirac! Your trial period is over, resign!” and banners reading “general dream” and “no disposable youth” were also carried by the crowd.

Protests turned into clashes in the Italian Square in Paris where tight security measures had been taken.

Police used tear gas to disperse a crowd of masked youths attacking with stones, sticks and glass bottles.

French residents, watching the demonstrations from their balconies in Republican Square where the incidents occurred, showered demonstrators escaping from the police dried rose petals, as the participation of children and the elderly in the general strike also attracted attention.

More than a hundred people were arrested in Paris.

Student uproar in France is the potential source of a deep crisis, opposition Socialist Party leader Francois Hollande told Zaman. The government is turning a deaf ear to cries from French youth instead of withdrawing the ruling in a bid to curb the student upheaval, Hollande said. "France is stuck in the pandemonium," said the Socialist party leader, expressing his concerns that mounting tensions in society are most likely to hurt the nation. This is not the time for dialogue, since severe conflict is pressing the government to abandon the edict, said Aude, 26, a doctorate student participating in the protests which are bringing French youth to their feet. The youth of France have been suffering from trauma since the 1990s, and the situation is only deteriorating more due to complications from the employment act. Daily life across the country came to a standstill as students participated in nationwide strikes. For the most part, the strikes are affecting the sectors of transportation and circulation. The large boulevards of major cities seem empty in stark contrast to the usual number of people commuting and carry-on in their daily lives. Visitors were not allowed to visit the Eiffel Tower. Education is nearly at a complete halt because of protests impeding teachers from lecturing in universities and high schools. French unions are planning to call for new strikes if the government remains resistant to the idea of stepping back. Student unions are refusing to negotiate with the government unless the edict is abolished. President Jacques Chirac cancelled his visits outside Paris in light of the mounting tension in the country.