Labour Law: Summary of a Very Tense Day Yesterday in Nantes

Local News
A very tense day in Nantes yesterday, with 10,000 demonstrators initially against the Labour Law. Clashes. Porsche burning. 39 arrests, sometimes violent.

10,000 demonstrators initially against the Labour Law. Clashes. Porsche burning. 39 arrests, sometimes violent.

10,000 protestors march against the Labour Law in NantesThe event yesterday, Thursday 28th April, started at around 11am, at the Nefs near the Elephant, on the Ile de Nantes.  The Unions who were present as usual, always fighting against the Labour Act had expected, for the sake of appeasement, to avoid the small shopping areas in the city centre. Indeed, the damage was lighter than in previous protests.  Violence side, however, things quickly started to deteriorate, with clashes in the square Saint-Pierre between of the ultra-left and the anti-crime Brigade which decided to react rapidly to provocations.

Porsche on fire, in front of the préfecture in Nantes, 28 avril
Porsche on fire, in front of the préfecture in Nantes, 28 avril | Franck Dubray

In the aftermath, protesters set fire to a Porsche parked outside the prefecture.  Stone throwing.  violent arrests at the cour des 50 otages.  At Commerce, demonstrators had placed a barriacade over the tram lines.

Demonstrators have placed barricades over the tram tracks at Commerce in Nantes

The demonstrators then return back to the Nefs.  There is then a slight pause, while people take snacks.  Then starts a long afternoon when the police will go after the very young, very politicized for most, but also ready to fight.  ready to fight. Including them.  At 6pm, the prefect announced 39 arrests in a robust language  .According to authorities, a policeman and a protester were injured.

At 7pm, the 10th day of action in Nantes against the proposed Labour law ends. #NuitDebout starts, with 300 participants. There is much talk of the vilent behaviour of the police.

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