January 1, France Braces for Nationwide Chaos as Leftist Unions Push Mass Mobilization

Wyatt’s Take

• France is deploying 70,000 police officers to handle violent protests sparked by left-wing unions.
• The unrest is hitting everyday citizens hardest, with schools closed and travel chaos spreading.
• Outgoing President Macron is blaming ultra-left groups who want to tear down the Republic.

France deployed 70,000 police officers Thursday as tens of thousands of people took to the streets for nationwide strikes and protests after left-wing groups called for a mobilization.

In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was closed; in Lyon, French riot police fired tear gas and charged a group of protesters; and near Toulouse, a high school was set on fire, according to Reuters.

“We need to turn up in big numbers on the streets today,” the news agency quoted the head of the left-wing CGT union Sophie Binet as saying.

The demonstrations come after France was rocked by violent protests in October, which outgoing French President Emmanuel Macron blamed on “ultra-left groups whose aim is to bring down the Republic.”

An official close to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that by early Thursday, around 270,000 people had joined the union action in 180 rallies outside the capital.

About a third of France’s high schools were closed or unable to operate, some because of student blockades and others because teachers were on strike, The Associated Press reported.

Nuñez said the 70,000 police officers being deployed are backed by armored vehicles, drones and helicopters.

Authorities in the western region of Brittany also said “masked individuals” tried to block roads in Rennes, while some committed “serious acts of violence,” including throwing steel balls at police.

France’s main unions warned that the country is on the brink of recession and that layoff plans are multiplying.

“Fuel, food products, rent, gas, electricity… everything’s going up except wages and pensions,” they said in a joint statement, according to The Associated Press.

The U.S. Embassy had issued an urgent security alert for Americans in France ahead of the demonstrations, warning travelers to brace for severe disruptions, sudden curfews and the potential for violence.

The rallies come as the campaign to succeed Macron as president next May heats up, with political parties seeking to capitalize on the movement.

Macron is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term, while far-right candidate Marine Le Pen is the favorite to win, the AP reported.

Wyatt Matters

Working families in heartland America know that when radical leftists take to the streets and shut down daily life, it’s always the regular folks who pay the price. France is showing us what happens when government leaders refuse to stand up to chaos and put the nation first.