Wednesday (10), France witnessed a powerful social mobilization movement. According to information from the newspaper Humanité , tens of thousands of people took to the streets to oppose the policies of Emmanuel Macron’s government, making their voices heard on the country’s main roads, near schools, hospitals and businesses. The strength of the protesters was felt throughout the nation, with pickets, marches and blockades, as well as symbolic demonstrations, such as sitting in front of security brigades.
The mobilization was driven by the search for justice, equality, and democracy—demands that, according to protesters, have been neglected by the authorities. According to the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), the Ministry of the Interior registered a total of 430 actions across the country, bringing together approximately 250,000 people. Despite the scale of the protests, the French government, represented by figures such as François Bayrou and Sébastien Lecornu, sought to downplay the movement’s importance, attempting to disconnect it from its grassroots origins.
In an apparent attempt to discredit the protests, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau stated that the movement, originally a grassroots movement, had been “hijacked by an ultra-violent ultra-left movement.” He told the press that the left and far left are seeking an insurrectionary climate in the country, arguing that it is not a citizens’ movement.
However, such discourse has been widely contested by opposition voices, who argue that social demands are legitimate and urgent, and should not be treated as mere political polarization.
This September 10th was marked not only by blockades and pickets, but also by the clear demonstration that a significant portion of the French population is willing to fight against the government’s economic and social policies. The movement, despite facing criticism and attempts to delegitimize it, remains steadfast in its mission to demand changes that meet the needs of the French people.
More than 300 people were arrested during the day of anti-government protests, the Interior Ministry said, reporting violence in several cities.
In a preliminary report, the agency said 183 arrests were made in the Paris region, with 430 incidents recorded, including crowding and attempts to block roads, bridges, institutions and educational centers.
According to the Interior Ministry, four members of the security forces were injured during a partial lockdown until 1 p.m. local time.
Polls published in recent days have shown nearly 50% support for the movement, which is an expression of social anger toward government policies.
The 2026 budget plan presented in July by then-Prime Minister François Bayrou, who was ousted on Monday by the National Assembly, sparked outrage, including measures such as €44 billion in cuts and savings and the elimination of two public holidays.
Source: www.brasil247.com