Thousands of firefighters protest in Paris: tensions with the police

Water cannons to calm the fierceness of fire soldiers … The scene is unusual and a little disconcerting. But on Tuesday, thousands of firefighters were determined to express their anger in the streets of Paris, facing the police force responsible for containing their big demonstration. In places, the mobilization resulted in clashes and traffic jams.

Leaving shortly after 14 hours from the Place de la Republique, the parade first marched loudly – with whistles and sirens – but in a good-natured atmosphere towards the Place de la Nation.

Dozens of them, however, quickly deviated to the National Assembly, where they blocked traffic and smoked the surroundings of the Bourbon Palace with smoke.

Faced with this "wild event", the CRS used tear gas and water cannons. Just as earlier, towards the Republic Square, to prevent attempts of processional deviations.

Around 18 hours, some of the demonstrators then found themselves on the Paris ring road, causing big traffic slowdowns at the Porte de Vincennes.

According to the unions, the bulk of the troop, remained on the initial course, was composed of 5 to 10 000 firefighters from the four corners of France. All were eager to denounce the deterioration of their working conditions, including an increase in aggression and tensions on the ground, but also the lack of resources and the threat to their retirement at 57 years. "Do more with less, welcome to firefighters", could we read on a sign. "Stop the contempt of politics" or "RIC", was it also written about others, reminiscent of the claims of the Yellow Vests – some of whom had also mixed with the crowd – with references to the Referendum of citizen initiative or the lack of listening to Emmanuel Macron.

Several elected officials in support

Several political representatives also expressed their support for the soldiers of the fire, sometimes traveling with them. "The repression of which they are the object, with gas and water cannons, while they are only claiming their rights is nonsense", denounced the member Mathilde Panot, come to support them before the Assembly with several other elected representatives of unsubstantial France.

The president of the national gathering had split a video in the morning: "They risk their lives for us, they work in difficult conditions, and neither the government nor the European Commission makes it easy for them! And to take offense in the afternoon, before also going on the spot: "So in France, the political power orders the police to disperse with water cannon and tear gas bombs … the demonstration of firemen !! We walk on the head !! The protest is "evident in the lack of responses and actions by the government to defend their profession," earlier said his party in a statement.

The president of Debout France, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, also denounced "the inaction of the government that allows rot a daily become unsustainable" for firefighters. And to call for an "increase in compensation and fire premium" as well as the "preservation of the specificity of the pension plan" of this profession.

"Full support for firefighters (…) I will work to defend them in the European Parliament, as we committed ourselves during the campaign," also said Francois-Xavier Bellamy, leader of the MEPs Republicans.

Asked about the mobilization during the questions to the government, the Secretary of State for the Interior Laurent Nunez assured that the problems of the firemen were taken "arms-the-body" by the government and announced the experiment of a "single number" emergency – the 112 – which would better guide calls.