LABOUR LAW: The parade started from the place of Bouffay on Wednesday to 14h …
This is the seventh show in a few weeks. On Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of demonstrators marched through the streets of the City Centre of Nantes to demand the withdrawal of the El Khomri Labour Law.
The procession was once again led by many pupils and students. Some members of the “inter-schools in struggle” collective wear yellow vests with the aim of best to frame the procession, which rallied peacefully.
Le cortège est en route. #Nantes #manif20avril pic.twitter.com/GReFeorrl1
— Pierre Momboisse (@Pierre_Mo) April 20, 2016
From the place of Bouffay, the parade followed a usual route, finishing at l’île de Nantes. There has also been several clashes with the police being reported, first the throwing of glass bottles found in the trash on the route, at the prefecture. The police pushed the demonstrators using water jets. The headquarters of the Socialist Party, which had lowered its curtain was the target of graffiti.
#manif20avril #Nantes jets de peinture sur l’entrée de la Préfecture – le cortège s’engage cours des 50 otages –
— Police Nationale 44 (@PNationale44) April 20, 2016
Posted along the route 50-Otages, the police blocked access to the street rue du Calvaire, and other roads off the main route into the Bouffay district. Tear gas and water cannons were used by the police at place de la Petite-Hollande, where street furniture had been vandalised.
Along the Quai de la Fosse, several windows were broken, of local businesses such as a kebab shop and employment centre.
A Cash machine of BNP Paribas and Bus Stop was also targeted and damaged. The protesters are now gathered for a general meeting.
Prefecture promised tighter controls
The prefecture, after the violence of previous protests, had promised tighter controls so that an order prohibiting “the wearing or carrying of objects that can be used as weapons ” was taken for the first time for the protest today, Wednesday.
Disturbances are expected in transport with the many public transport lines halted into the City Centre until late afternoon.