Dozens arrested as 'Block Everything' protests spread across France
French police have arrested dozens of people as a new protest movement called “Block Everything” caused widespread disruption across the country.
The movement, which gained traction on social media over the summer, has drawn comparisons to the 2018 “Yellow Vest” protests.
Those demonstrations initially erupted over fuel price hikes but rapidly evolved into a broad challenge to President Emmanuel Macron and his economic policies.
Members of the “Block Everything” movement, which analysts and officials say started among right-wing groups before being taken over by the left and far-left, said they considered the political system to be no longer fit for purpose.
The protests come amid ongoing political turmoil in France, just two days after parliament ousted Prime Minister Francois Bayrou in a confidence vote.
On Tuesday, President Macron appointed Sebastien Lecornu, his fifth prime minister in under two years.
The far-left France Unbowed party has already said it would introduce a no-confidence motion against Lecornu, though the far-right National Rally has signaled it would be willing to work with him for now.
Early Wednesday, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau claimed that approximately 50 hooded individuals attempted to establish a blockade in Bordeaux. Separately, a cable fire near Toulouse, though quickly contained, disrupted traffic between Toulouse and Auch in southwestern France.
He also said that 80,000 security forces had been deployed throughout the country, including 6,000 in Paris. French media had reported that 100,000 people were expected to participate in the demonstrations.
“We risk having a mobilization that will lead to actions all over the country,” Retailleau said.
Paris police said that 75 people had been arrested in the demonstrations so far, but did not give details on where they took place or the reason for the arrests.
Elsewhere, a highway operator reported protests and traffic disruptions on highways throughout France, including Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes and Lyon.
In the southwestern city of Montpellier, police used tear gas to disperse protesters, one of whom carried a banner that read, “Macron resign.”
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