The association Attac France, at the origin of the call, identified Monday “more than 370 gatherings” across the country.
A speech received in a metallic din. Concerts of saucepans resounded, Monday, April 17, during Emmanuel Macron’s speech at 8 p.m. The demonstrators, believing that they have not been heard on the pension reform, gathered in several cities in France. The association Attac France, at the origin of this call, affirms on its site to have identified “more than 370 gatherings”.
>> Relive Emmanuel Macron’s speech, three days after the promulgation of the pension reform law
In Paris, hundreds of people were present in front of the town hall, equipped with utensils and stoves to be heard. The rally was marked by some tensions with the police, reports on Twitter France 3 Paris-Ile-de-France, before a return to calm a few minutes later. Other gatherings were held in the capital, in particular in front of the town hall of the 10th arrondissement and in the 13th. A total of 2,000 demonstrators gathered in these three sectors of the capital, the Paris police headquarters confirmed to franceinfo.
In Dijon, around 150 people were in Place de la Liberation for a “casserolade”, according to France Bleu Bourgogne, despite its ban by the prefecture of Côte d’Or. The police used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
A rally in Marseille took place in front of the town hall of the Marseille city. It had also been banned by the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture
In Amiens (Somme) or Limoges (Haute-Vienne), the pans also tinkled. “Toulouse, Toulouse, rise up!”for their part chanted the demonstrators gathered on the Place du Capitole, to the rhythm of the percussion.
In Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine), 700 people marched through the historic center in a “relative calm”, reports France Bleu Armorique. However, several garbage fires were lit. Protesters formed a “caterpillar” in front of the law enforcement water-thrower truck.
A concert of pans was also organized on the place of the Hôtel-de-Ville of Saint-Etienne (Loire), where 300 people were present according to France Bleu Saint-Etienne Loire. Some of the opponents formed a spontaneous demonstration towards Place Jean-Jaurès. The security forces used tear gas and garbage cans were set on fire.
On the side of the political class, some opponents of the reform appeared in these concerts, like the deputies of La France insoumise Alexis Corbière and Ugo Bernalicisin Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis) and Lille (North).
#20H saucepans : The Courrier des Stratèges is in the 19th arrondissement of #Paris. The pot concert has begun!#Macron20h #PensionReform pic.twitter.com/SJJu6KI31e
— CourrierDesStratèges (@CStrateges) April 17, 2023
Finally, some French people participated in the movement from their windows or on their doorsteps.