The French Way of Protest

[Ian H]

Keith Flett -
The current wave of mass protest in France at root against the impact of neo-liberal Government policies but with a clear focus on education, deserve our publicity.

Gregor Gall writing in The Herald argues that the conservatism of the British trade union movement doesn’t help, compared to the French which however is organised differently along political lines. He also suggests that the attraction of the Labour Party when led by Jeremy Corbyn and now the Greens led by Zack Polanski hoovered up activists into the detail of party organisation and indoor meetings rather than street protest.

There are however other points. Firstly the violence of the protests, where this occurs (always guaranteed to get media coverage) is largely dictated by the reality that the French State is more authoritarian than the British with a more brutal police force. This may seem odd to those who have faced the Met on demos and the British State is working hard to catch up but it is a reality...
https://kmflett.blog/2026/10/17/traditions-of-protest-revolt-france-and-britain/

 

[Ian H]

Hobsbawm was in Paris from 8-10th May 1968 attending a UNESCO conference to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Karl Marx. Hobsbawm noted that the barricades were a better representation of what Marx had in mind than the conference itself.

Theory Turned Sideways – Eric Hobsbawm

What has happened in France is marvellous and enchanting, except of course to the Times which naturally regards a strike at the Bank of France as a conclusive evidence of the breakdown of civilisation. For us old members if the fan-club, it proves that Paris still has star quality. It is more than a place with three-star Michelin restaurants, traffic jams, cleaned buildings and the kind of dress shops which the Duchess of Windsor goes to. It can still put up the barricades, often on the very same spots where they went up in 1848, in 1871 and in 1944. It is a great moment for sentimental Francophiles. But even the most sentimental among them must wonder whether the whole business is merely a gallic freak. Does it show the way to the rest of the world? It would not be the first time that Paris has done so. I think it may do so now.

 

[AuroraSaab]

Keith Flett -
The current wave of mass protest in France at root against the impact of neo-liberal Government policies but with a clear focus on education, deserve our publicity.

Gregor Gall writing in The Herald argues that the conservatism of the British trade union movement doesn’t help, compared to the French which however is organised differently along political lines. He also suggests that the attraction of the Labour Party when led by Jeremy Corbyn and now the Greens led by Zack Polanski hoovered up activists into the detail of party organisation and indoor meetings rather than street protest.

There are however other points. Firstly the violence of the protests, where this occurs (always guaranteed to get media coverage) is largely dictated by the reality that the French State is more authoritarian than the British with a more brutal police force. This may seem odd to those who have faced the Met on demos and the British State is working hard to catch up but it is a reality...
https://kmflett.blog/2026/10/17/traditions-of-protest-revolt-france-and-britain/

Does he feel the same when right wingers riot?

 

[Beebo]

The French love a bit of burning down buildings.
I don’t think it’s quite in the British psyche.
After all we beheaded our king then reinstated his son again when we realised we’d made a mistake.
The French have always been more hot headed.

 

[Ian H]

Does he feel the same when right wingers riot?

I'd have thought it's pretty obvious that would depend on the reason for the protest.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Before I take anything coming out of France as a good example I'll have to weight it up against the increasing popularity of Marie le Pen and the National Rally.

 

[AuroraSaab]

I'd have thought it's pretty obvious that would depend on the reason for the protest.

I would imagine every rioter and arsonist thinks they have a just cause.

 

[briantrumpet]

Before I take anything coming out of France as a good example I'll have to weight it up against the increasing popularity of Marie le Pen and the National Rally.

One opinion I've seen is that revulsion against left-wing inspired destruction and anarchy will hurt Mélenchon and help le Pen, but if it then knocks Mélenchon off the final run-off, it's be easier for moderates to beat le Pen.

 

[briantrumpet]

In this report, it looks like most of the destruction was looting and vandalism, piggybacking on the protests. Lille, Lyon, Rennes, Paris (obvs), Marseille, St Etienne.

https://www.france24.com/fr/france/...ns-contre-la-vie-chère-macron-melenchon-paris

 

[Rusty Nails]

One opinion I've seen is that revulsion against left-wing inspired destruction and anarchy will hurt Mélenchon and help le Pen, but if it then knocks Mélenchon off the final run-off, it's be easier for moderates to beat le Pen.

I suspect le Pen will already be working out how she can use these riots to her benefit.

 

[Ian H]

I would imagine every rioter and arsonist thinks they have a just cause.

Keith Flett is merely an observer.

 

[Rusty Nails]

"But even the most sentimental among them must wonder whether the whole business is merely a gallic freak. Does it show the way to the rest of the world? It would not be the first time that Paris has done so. I think it may do so now."

Given that this was 60 years ago I suspect the answer is 'gallic freak'.

Like the gilet jaunt protests there will likely be some concessions but no major changes.

 

[briantrumpet]

Here's one assessment.