Demonstrations are a regular occurence

During my first couple of weeks here in Montpellier I was confronted with public demonstrations and protests.  In fact, I was just strolling in the main square one day when I found myself suddenly engulfed by hundreds of protesting students.

As a nice law abiding Canadian, this was pretty confronting, unusual and a bit scary frankly.

What was even more shocking was the number of police that were on the scene. In France they are equipped with not only hand guns but semi automatic rifles too.  They were everywhere and after a while started shooting off tear gas.  I was well away by that point, but I read it in the French papers.

What I came to realize, and appreciate, is that it is quite normal for the french to speak up like this.  To take to the streets to make their voice heard, loud and clear.

It is also quite common place for some people to take advantage of the situation and add a bit of violence to the situation. Breaking store windows, looting and vandalism.  Unfortunately this means that the police are prepared to use tear gas and sometimes do.

What we learned in class here at school is that this penchant for demonstration is part of the culture.  It goes all the way back to the French Revolution. It was emphasized by the riots of 1968 that took place not only in Paris (and all over France) but in the US, Canada and the rest of the western world.

These demonstrations in April, May and June all had to do with the new work laws (loi de travail) that the government here has been trying to put in place.  They have been strong arming it frankly too which doesn't help, bypassing the normal debate process.  As we moved into June and July, the large unions started to strike on a regular basis.  The SNCF (national trains), the garbage workers in Paris, the workers at all the oil refineries, even the Air France pilots got in on the action (although for different reasons).  They strategically took advantage of the Euro Cup (football) that France hosted through July trying to force the government to back down on this reform.

This level of strike activity and activism is big news for a Canuck like me! I was fascinated by it.  Reading and listening to the news to try and understand what was going on.  As I asked the French here about it and their reactions to the strikes, the response I got was very much "business as usual".  Strikes are common place here, to the point of almost boredom.  It's just a way of life.  The trains still managed to run, people simply lined up for gas and others just made other arrangements in their life.

I can't say I'm used to it just yet, but I am far less agitated now when they announce another workers action.  :)