May Day march in Paris amidst challenges to pension reform
Up to 100,000 demonstrators are expected to take part in the May Day "Labour Day" on Monday in Paris, French authorities estimate, in a march from Place de la République from 2pm local time to Place de la Nation at 7pm local time, amid the challenge to the pension reform, an event in which many European trade unions and risk elements may participate, reports Le Figaro, quoted by news.ro.
Demonstrations were already taking place in several cities across the country - Nantes, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Clermont-Ferrand.
Unions are hoping for a massive mobilisation on International Labour Day against the pension reform.
Motorists are urged by the Paris police prefecture "to drive around the sector extensively during the event".
With many shops being targeted by looters since the start of the mobilisation against the pension reform, the prefecture is recommending that "shops along the route (of the march) be closed and otherwise protected".
Thus many restaurants and shops along the march route are to be closed.
Pedestrian traffic is also affected by this mobilisation, and police checks are to be stepped up ahead of the demonstration, "in the fight against the ban on carrying weapons, illicit or dangerous objects".
Metro transport will not be normal either.
