FRANCE: Protesters prepare for Paris demo as thousands march against pension in Toulouse

Record ID: 339278

  • Title: FRANCE: Protesters prepare for Paris demo as thousands march against pension in Toulouse
  • Date: 24th September 2010
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 23, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PLACE DE LA BASTILLE/ BALLOONS IN FRONT UNIONS OFFICIALS INFLATING BALLOONS VARIOUS OF UNIONS OFFICIALS PREPARING FOR DEMONSTRATION SIGN SAYING "SARKO HANDS OFF OUR RETIREMENT" COFFIN WITH "DEAD BEFORE RETIREMENT" WRITTEN ON FRONT (SOUNDBITE) (French) JEAN-CLAUDE MAILLY, HEAD OF FORCE OUVRIERE UNION, SAYING: "I
  • Embargoed: 9th October 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA19FH06PL30I509IS3JBGJARYM
  • Story Text: Tens of thousands protest in Toulouse as preparations are underway for mass Paris pensions demo.
    Final preparations were underway in Paris on Thursday (September 23) for a major protest against plans to overhaul the country's pension system and hike the minimum retirement age. Meanwhile, tens of thousands marched through Toulouse and union leaders promised a nationwide turnout at least as large as at the previous event two weeks ago.
    Jean-Claude Mailly, leader of the Force Ouvriere union said the turnout would be at least as large as the demo two weeks ago and the government of President Nicolas Sarkozy should be worried.
    "I've just received the first figures of the protests in the regions. And they are either bigger or at the same level. These are the first elements, from seven or eight departments (counties)," he told Reuters Television.
    "So that means that if we have a mobilisation at the same level as on September 7, that means the government must do more than just think. It must start to get seriously worried, would be my advice."
    Waving banners and chanting slogans, they filed through the centre of town, many warning that more protests would come if they disregarded the warnings.
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