Unequivocal Discontent: The Paris General Strike

On 05 December 2019, France experienced its biggest general strike in decades. Across the country, citizens marched against one of President Macron’s flagship manifesto pledges – the reform of France’s pension system. As the day wore on the atmosphere intensified with violence breaking out between the police and les casseurs or ‘the breakers’. Both sides were revelling in the temporary loss of order and agency of fighting in the backdrop of the famous Place de la Republique. Once both sides were content with their work, the fighting subsided to allow the more peaceful marchers to vent their dissaproval. Although the means of expression varied between the demonstrators, there was a common sense of genuine resentment against the elected government and a real determination for their voice to be heard. Their demands were met mainly with silence from the authorities.