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‘Block Everything’ Protests: 100s Arrested Across France

Major cities across France were brought to a standstill on Thursday as climate activists launched a coordinated day of action, leading to widespread disruption and the arrest of hundreds of individuals. The movement, dubbed the “‘block everything’ protests,” saw demonstrators shut down critical infrastructure, including major highways, public transport hubs, and government building entrances, to demand more radical government action on climate change.

The protests, organized by a coalition of environmental groups, mark a significant escalation in tactics. Authorities reported over 400 arrests by late afternoon, primarily in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, as police forces were deployed in large numbers to clear the blockades. The French Interior Minister condemned the actions as “unacceptable” and a threat to public order, vowing a firm response to what he termed “eco-radicalism.”

What Sparked the Latest ‘Block Everything’ Protests?

The immediate catalyst for this wave of ‘block everything’ protests appears to be the government’s recent approval of the “Alpha-Nord” industrial expansion project. This controversial plan involves the development of a new large-scale petrochemical facility near the port of Le Havre, which activists argue is completely incompatible with France’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Organizers from the group “Dernière Action” (Last Action) stated that years of peaceful marches, petitions, and lobbying have yielded insufficient results. “We are out of time,” said a spokesperson in a pre-recorded message released online. “The government continues to prioritize corporate profits over a livable planet. If they will not listen to reason, they will be forced to listen to the sound of the economy grinding to a halt. We must block everything.”

This tactic is not new, but its scale on Thursday was unprecedented. The strategy is rooted in the idea of non-violent civil disobedience aimed at causing maximum economic and logistical disruption to force a political response. Proponents believe that by interrupting the flow of daily commerce, they can make the cost of inaction on climate change tangible and immediate. For more background on these tactics, you can read our explainer on the history of civil disobedience movements.

A Nationwide Day of Disruption

The protests began at dawn, with coordinated actions taking place simultaneously in over a dozen cities. In Paris, hundreds of activists chained themselves together, blocking several lanes of the vital Périphérique ring road, causing traffic jams that stretched for miles. Others glued their hands to the entrance of the Ministry of Ecology, effectively shutting it down for hours.

Key details from across the nation include:

• Lyon: Protesters occupied the tracks at the main Part-Dieu train station, halting all high-speed TGV services for several hours.
• Marseille: Access to the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille, one of the Mediterranean’s busiest ports, was severely restricted by human blockades.
• Bordeaux: Demonstrators blocked the Pont de Pierre, a major bridge over the Garonne River, causing chaos during the morning commute.

“I am late for a critical doctor’s appointment, but I understand why they are doing this,” one motorist stuck in Paris told a local news crew. “My frustration with this traffic is nothing compared to the frustration I have with our leaders.” This sentiment reflects a complex public reaction, blending annoyance at the disruption with a degree of sympathy for the cause. According to reports from international news agency Reuters, while the tactics are divisive, polls show a majority of French citizens are “deeply concerned” about the climate crisis.

Government Response and Confrontation

The government’s response was swift and forceful. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin had warned earlier in the week that any “unauthorized blockades” would be dealt with severely. Across the country, specialized riot police units (the CRS) were deployed with orders to clear the obstructions.

Eyewitnesses reported the use of tear gas and forceful removal of protesters, particularly in Paris and Lyon. Official figures state 412 individuals were taken into custody on charges ranging from obstructing traffic to resisting arrest. The government has defended the police action as necessary to “restore public order and ensure the freedom of movement for all citizens.”

In a press conference, the Minister stated, “While the right to protest is a democratic foundation, the right to paralyze the country, to prevent people from working, from seeking medical care, is not. We will not allow a radical minority to dictate the law.” The heavy-handed response has drawn criticism from human rights groups and left-wing politicians, who accuse the government of criminalizing climate activism. This debate continues a long-running national conversation about the evolving tactics of French law enforcement.

Context and the Future of Activism in France

The ‘block everything’ protests do not exist in a vacuum. They are part of a growing global trend of increasingly disruptive climate activism, from the actions of Just Stop Oil in the UK to Tyre Extinguishers across Europe. In France, these events evoke memories of the “Gilets Jaunes” (Yellow Vests) movement, which also used road blockades as a core tactic to protest economic inequality and fuel prices.

However, while the Yellow Vests were a largely grassroots, populist movement, Thursday’s protests were orchestrated by established environmental organizations who feel that conventional methods have failed. They are betting that the shock to the system will create a political crisis that the government cannot ignore.

What comes next remains uncertain. Activist groups have promised that this is only the beginning and that further, even more disruptive, actions are planned if their demands are not met. The government, on the other hand, is showing no signs of backing down on its industrial policy or its tough stance on protesters. This sets the stage for a protracted conflict between a state determined to maintain order and a movement that believes disrupting that order is the only way to secure a future. Organizations like Greenpeace International continue to advocate for systemic change, a call that resonates deeply with the participants of the ‘block everything’ protests.

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