Block Everything’ Movement Paralyzes France + Video
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency via Euronews, widespread protests erupted across multiple French cities, resulting in the arrest of hundreds.
On Wednesday, france witnessed mass demonstrations as part of the leaderless “Block Everything” movement. Just two days after the fall of François Bayrou’s government,protesters blocked streets and set fire to trash bins-bringing daily activities in Paris and other cities to a halt-and more than 250 arrests were recorded.
On Wednesday, September 10th, French police detained over 200 people. These arrests took place as participants of the “Block Everything (bloquons tout)” movement attempted to disrupt transport networks and daily life nationwide shortly after François Bayrou’s government collapsed.
News outlets shared footage showing protesters gathered in Lyon.
The French Ministry of Interior deployed around 80,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country by order. Thousands of demonstrators lit fires, constructed barricades and obstacles, and sought to block the Boulevard Périphérique-the busiest urban highway in Europe encircling Paris.
By early Wednesday morning, Paris police reported that 95 individuals had been arrested within the capital city while eight others were detained outside it.
In the eastern Paris district of Porte de Montreuil, protesters set trash cans on fire and tried to obstruct tram routes; however, police removed barriers and dispersed crowds. A group also attempted to enter a highway but was prevented by law enforcement authorities.
Tensions escalated near Gare du Nord station-one of Europe’s busiest train hubs-where several hundred gathered by 10:30 a.m. Police blocked access to the station but protesters continued trying to force entry. Officers used tear gas for crowd control amid chaos that trapped some passengers inside.
This leaderless movement emerged fueled by anger toward inflation policies, austerity measures, and what supporters describe as an “ineffective political class.”
Unlike organized Yellow Vest protests in 2018, this summer showed a less centralized structure but meaningful support via online platforms.
Several left-wing parties and unions-including SUD (Solidaires Unitaires Démocratiques) and CGT (Confédération générale du travail)-have joined this mobilization endorsing Wednesday’s demonstrations.
Larger strikes are planned for September 18th.
An Ipsos poll indicates 46 percent of French citizens-including left-wing supporters-and over half of voters aligned with the far-right National Rally back this movement.
Healthcare workers and pharmacists have also protested cuts in medical reimbursements. Unions warn that up to 6,000 pharmacies out of France’s total 20,000 could face closures as a result.
The now-defunct Bayrou administration had proposed reducing two public holidays as part of measures aimed at shrinking France’s budget deficit-a proposal which sparked widespread outrage. Some protesters have called for dissolving Parliament followed by early elections.
