Politics
"THEY FAILED IN BLOCKING FRANCE" INTERIRO MINISTER RETAILLEAU SAID
275, 000 PEOPLE PROTESTED IN FRANCE
ON BLOQUE TOUT Banner (Source: Facebook)
ON BLOQUE TOUT Banner
(Source: Humanite)
(Source: Humanite)
1000 STRIKES , 175,000 PROTESTERS AND 80,000 POLICEMEN NATIONAWIDE IN FRANCE
Today, on September 10th, According to official figures from the Ministry of the Interior, around 175,000 people participated in approximately one thousand strikes, 550 demonstrations and 262 blockades throughout France, with organizers estimating participation closer to 250,000. Authorities reported a significant police presence, with 80,000 officers deployed nationwide. In Paris alone, 203 arrests were made out of a total 473 across the country, with 339 people placed in custody. The day was marked by relatively limited damage, apart from clashes near Gare du Nord where police prevented infiltrations and a fire that broke out at a Korean restaurant in the 1st arrondissement, leading to the temporary closure of Les Halles Forum (largest mall in Paris, located in 1st district)
Today, on September 10th, According to official figures from the Ministry of the Interior, around 175,000 people participated in approximately one thousand strikes, 550 demonstrations and 262 blockades throughout France, with organizers estimating participation closer to 250,000. Authorities reported a significant police presence, with 80,000 officers deployed nationwide. In Paris alone, 203 arrests were made out of a total 473 across the country, with 339 people placed in custody. The day was marked by relatively limited damage, apart from clashes near Gare du Nord where police prevented infiltrations and a fire that broke out at a Korean restaurant in the 1st arrondissement, leading to the temporary closure of Les Halles Forum (largest mall in Paris, located in 1st district)
Major cities including Paris, Nantes, Rennes, Marseille, Toulouse, and Lyon saw notable protest activities, with barricades and occasional confrontations. Rennes experienced the incendiary destruction of a city bus that briefly compromised a nearby bridge, while in Marseille around 700 individuals attempted to storm Gare Saint-Charles but were repelled by police forces. The Paris Public Prosecutor and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau both highlighted the failure of radical elements attempting to destabilize the country, underlining that while peaceful protesters were numerous, violent clashes were largely confined to fringe groups.
NATIONAL BLOCKADE ATTEMPTS FAKTER AMID POLICE MOBILIZATION & POLITICAL CHANGE
Following the nationwide “Bloquons Tout” mobilization on September 10, 2025, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau provided an assessment highlighting the scale and nature of the protests. He stated,
"Nearly 200,000 participants took part in various demonstrations and blockades across France." Retailleau praised law enforcement, declaring that “the blockers did not succeed in blocking the country,” emphasizing the effective deployment of 80,000 police officers to maintain order. However, he criticized the movement, asserting that it was largely hijacked by “ultra-left groups,” noting their involvement in violent acts such as sabotage and arson, including the incident of a bus set on fire in Rennes.
Following the nationwide “Bloquons Tout” mobilization on September 10, 2025, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau provided an assessment highlighting the scale and nature of the protests. He stated,
"Nearly 200,000 participants took part in various demonstrations and blockades across France." Retailleau praised law enforcement, declaring that “the blockers did not succeed in blocking the country,” emphasizing the effective deployment of 80,000 police officers to maintain order. However, he criticized the movement, asserting that it was largely hijacked by “ultra-left groups,” noting their involvement in violent acts such as sabotage and arson, including the incident of a bus set on fire in Rennes.
FROM MATIGNON TO THE STREETS : FRANCE FACES (AGAI) SOCUAL UNREST AND POLTICAL RENEWAL
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s office reported rapid legal actions to process hundreds of arrests made during the protests. Authorities counted 473 arrests nationwide, with 203 in Paris, and 415 individuals placed in custody. The prosecutor confirmed a focus on prosecuting those responsible for violence and property damage.tf1infoyoutube
Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the leftist opposition party La France Insoumise (LFI), offered a contrasting perspective, acknowledging the protesters’ grievances but condemning violence. He called for dialogue and urged the government to address the social roots of the unrest, warning against political repression and the criminalization of protest.
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s office reported rapid legal actions to process hundreds of arrests made during the protests. Authorities counted 473 arrests nationwide, with 203 in Paris, and 415 individuals placed in custody. The prosecutor confirmed a focus on prosecuting those responsible for violence and property damage.tf1infoyoutube
Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the leftist opposition party La France Insoumise (LFI), offered a contrasting perspective, acknowledging the protesters’ grievances but condemning violence. He called for dialogue and urged the government to address the social roots of the unrest, warning against political repression and the criminalization of protest.
In conclusion, despite the announcement of a widespread general strike and substantial threats to paralyze France, the actual street mobilization was mixed but not massive enough to achieve effective national blockages. The authorities hailed the event as a strategic “failure” for the organized blockers, underscoring that most parts of the country remained functional, with limited significant disruptions besides isolated incidents.
"THEY FAILED IN BLOCKING FRANCE" INTERIOR MINISTER BRUNO RETAILLEAU SAID Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau provided a detailed account of the day's nationwide protests linked to the "Bloquons Tout" movement. He stated, "Nearly 200,000 protesters participated in actions related to the ‘Bloquons Tout’ movement this Wednesday." However, he emphasized that "The blockers did not block France." Retailleau criticized the movement’s capture by extremist groups, explaining, "There is a form of confiscation, a hijacking of this mobilization, notably by the far-left movement." He noted, "The day started very early, but the night was rather calm." He further observed, "The mobilization is not a citizen mobilization; it was hijacked, confiscated, and captured by the far-left, the ultra-left backed by the ‘Insoumis’ movement." Describing the violent fringe, he said
"We have seasoned groups, masked, often dressed in black, where one can recognize the marks of far-left factions." Praising the police, Minister Bruno Retailleau stated, "The forces of order enabled the failure of those who wanted to block the country." Reflecting on the divided nation, he added, "On one side, there is this France of courage, men and women in blue, and on the other side, the France of sabotage in black, and that’s the face-off we see today." He warned, "The state must be ready for anything against those seeking to transform the climate of apprehension into one of insurrection." Concluding firmly, he declared, "Once again, we will not yield; we will not retreat."
PARIS PUBLIC PROSECUTOR ATTORNEY , LAURE BECCUAU DETAILED THE HUNDREADS OF ARRESTATIONS AMID THE PROTETS
Later that day, Laure Beccuau, the Paris Public Prosecutor, spoke on BFM TV at 5 p.m., confirming that "473 arrests were made during the day and 415 persons were taken into custody, including 110 in Paris." She stressed the authorities' resolve by explaining the commitment "to firmly prosecute those responsible for violence and damage during the demonstrations." Beccuau detailed that rapid judicial procedures were implemented, especially regarding "acts of arson and damage," citing specifically "the fire at a Korean restaurant in Paris’s 1st arrondissement." Emphasizing fairness, she underlined the need "to sanction violence while respecting the rights of peaceful protesters."
Later that day, Laure Beccuau, the Paris Public Prosecutor, spoke on BFM TV at 5 p.m., confirming that "473 arrests were made during the day and 415 persons were taken into custody, including 110 in Paris." She stressed the authorities' resolve by explaining the commitment "to firmly prosecute those responsible for violence and damage during the demonstrations." Beccuau detailed that rapid judicial procedures were implemented, especially regarding "acts of arson and damage," citing specifically "the fire at a Korean restaurant in Paris’s 1st arrondissement." Emphasizing fairness, she underlined the need "to sanction violence while respecting the rights of peaceful protesters."
Nevertheless, preparations are already underway for a renewed wave of protests, with unions organizing a new nationwide blockade scheduled for September 18, 2025. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has initiated consultations with key political figures including Gabriel Attal and Edouard Philippe from the central EPR bloc, and plans to meet union leaders in pursuit of negotiated compromises. The unfolding dialogue signals an ongoing effort to bridge divisions and maintain stability amid France’s complex political dynamics. To be continued.
Sources: Tf1 Tv, LCI Tv, Cnews TV, BFM TV, Youtube
Sources: Tf1 Tv, LCI Tv, Cnews TV, BFM TV, Youtube
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