France’s ‘Block Everything’ protests disrupt cities, deepen political turmoil for Macron

People took to the streets to voice anger over budget cuts and the political elite, as the French government faced mounting turmoil. Thousands of protesters gathered in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Nantes, and Montpellier, aiming to “Block Everything” in response to recent government actions, according to foreign media. 

What began as a grassroots movement has gained momentum, with many citizens unhappy with President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership and economic plans. Protesters targeted transport hubs, government offices, and busy intersections, causing major disruptions throughout the day.

‘Block Everything’ movement

The “Block Everything” movement originated online in May, initially among far-right groups, before being adopted and led by left-wing and radical-left factions, including La France Insoumise (LFI), the Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste (NPA), and several trade unions such as CGT and Solidaires.

Its decentralized organisation through social media platforms, including Telegram and X (formerly Twitter), makes the protests unpredictable. Security services were forced to anticipate a turnout that could reach 100,000 participants, particularly in left-wing strongholds like Nantes, Rennes, Lyon, Toulouse, and Bordeaux.

“Block Everything has emerged as a broad expression of public anger over austerity and a political system perceived as disconnected from everyday life,” said Paola Sedda, University of Lille expert on online movements.

Clashes with authorities and widespread arrests

The French Interior Ministry said almost 200 people got arrested during the protests. People taking part broke rules by blocking streets starting fires, and facing off with cops. To deal with this, the government sent about 80,000 security officers across the country, with 6,000 in Paris. Riot police used tear gas to break up crowds, and some violent stuff happened. For example, someone set a bus on fire in Rennes, and protesters threw cobblestones at police.

Catalysts behind the unrest

The protests kicked off right after Sébastien Lecornu became Prime Minister, following François Bayrou’s exit. Many see Lecornu’s new role, the fifth switch in under two years, as Macron sticking to his unpopular plans. People in the streets are mad about proposed budget cuts, including slashing €43.8 billion in government spending, getting rid of two public holidays, and stopping pension increases. These moves have people worried about damage to public services and social support, making the gap between rich and poor even wider.

People are comparing the “Block Everything” movement to the Yellow Vest protests of 2018-2019. Some folks back the protesters’ goals, while others slam their disruptive methods. These demonstrations highlight a country split over where its leaders are heading and how to balance economic changes with fairness for all.