French Labor Riots Turn Violent
The massive demonstrations that have taken place across France for the past several days have turned violent. At least a million people turned out today and, predictably, it turned ugly.
AP’s Jenny Barchfield reports,
Violence erupted at the end of the largest protest, in Paris, with youths pelting police with stones, fighting and using metal bars to break up chunks of pavement that they hurled at helmeted riot officers. One young woman twirled flaming batons. The sounds of blowing whistles were heard throughout the plaza. Officers carrying batons and shields charged several times, making arrests.
There are, thankfully, no reports of death or serious injuries but that is usually inevitable as a mob mentality grows. And that goes both ways, whether it be stupidity on the part of the protesters or overreaction on the part of the authorities charged with keeping order.
The usual suspects, of course, were in attendance:
But, contrary to the expectations of some on the Right, at least a few Protest Babes:
Still, it’s hard to work up sympathy for those who are marching against the free market.
James, I would recommend you watch the French evening news (channel 56, WMHZ or whatever they call it, at 7 pm) on your cable if you have it. Their in depth coverage of the demonstrations will give you a good view of what’s really happening. The pictures are good for effect but I think the reality is that the troubles are caused by a small minority out to break things, just like the demonstrations here in the US.
France is getting exactly what they deserve. France wanted and has a complete Liberal Socialist State and now they get the results of their folly. I don’t have one bit of sympathy for France as they now are reaping what they have sown. Now, maybe that horses rear end that’s running things will get what he deserves.
The only thing I hope for is that we in the US, don’t make the same mistake we did in WW 2 and step in to save their sorry asses.
Do we really need 15 photos of the riots in France to look at? I am curious, is there no violence in America you could give equal time to? No kids killed in drive-bys recently? Or is it the position of OTB that piling on France is good and kids getting killed in American ghettoes is not news?
With the S.S. Bush taking on water rapidly, I guess I can understand why you would want to have something to try deter from that issue.
>Still, it�s hard to work up sympathy for those who are marching against the free market.
What’s wrong with them marching? I thought we were about freedom and democracy.
Or are we into the era of Bush freedom, where you are free to agree and suspect if you do not?
Freedom is Slavery.
…and in Anjin’s case, ignorance is bliss.
I guess the fact that I support freedom of though equates into “ignorance” in LJD’s book. What a Bush man is he…
OK genius, explain how marching AGAINST free trade supports freedom and democracy?
Freedom means freedom dude, not the freedom to do only things that make sense to you. Don’t strain yourself trying to figure it out.