UNITED PRESS WIRE SERVICE
25 APRIL 2017
PARIS, France. (UP) -- The Latest on French strikes and civil unrest in Paris and surrounding suburbs
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7:00 A.M. Monday, CEST
After negotiations over public labour reforms broke down in the French Parliament on Friday, Parisian public workers called for a general strike to commence this morning. The most visible striking entities include public transit, public works, as well as the police and fire departments. Ambulance services have said they join the strike in name, but have pledged to continue their services through Friday. Strike organizers have encouraged all Parisians to participate in the strikes, but especially called for labour unions to support the strike. Police and fire coverage will be provided by French Gendarmerie and French Army units.
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12:30 P.M. Monday, CEST
The demonstrations have remained largely peaceful through the morning, but a rally planned at the base of the Eiffel Tower this evening has French security forces worried. French Gendarmerie Colonel Jean-Luc Moreau has stated that extra police forces will be deployed to the rally, citing concerns of terrorism.
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6:30 P.M. Monday, CEST
Demonstrations at the base of the Eiffel tower have turned raucous, with objects being thrown at encroaching police lines. Police respond with tear gas and moving armoured vehicles to the forefront of their riot control groups.
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9:00 P.M. Monday, CEST
At sundown on Monday, the first day of a Parisian general strike, the city remains at a standstill. From the perspective of the organizers, the strike was largely successful. However, demonstrations that accompanied the strikes have largely turned into an outpouring of anger over general economic woes, not specific labour issues. Organizers contend all are welcome.
Short outbursts of confrontation and violence appeared throughout the day, but protests remained mostly peaceful. The tense situation at the Eiffel tower has calmed down, but protesters told police negotiators that they planned on occupying the plaza overnight.
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8:00 A.M. Tuesday, CEST
While the Parisian general strike continues, protests have turned from focus on labour rights to a wider anger at general economic conditions in France.
With the Parisian police and fire services on strike, security and safety has been turned over to the national paramilitary police, the Gendarmerie, with support of the regular French Army. The presence of militarized police at largely peaceful rallies worries both demonstrators and observers, these events are usually attended to by local police, and the Gendarmerie is saved for civil disorder and riots.
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10:00 A.M. Tuesday, CEST
Conservative legislators announce at a press conference they will not give into pressure from the strikers, and that they should return to their lives and “vote in the next election”. Center right President Olivier Rainier is currently on his way to meet with legislators to help negotiate a deal over labour rights.
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12:00 P.M. Tuesday, CEST
Anger at the legislators refusing to negotiate has exploded in the streets of Paris, with marchers converging on the French Palais Bourbon, meeting place of the French National Assembly. Heavily equipped Gendarmerie units have mobilized to the area.
Marchers carry signs that call for both peace and violence, and some have been seen collecting small rocks, bricks and loose street objects.
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2:00 P.M. Tuesday, CEST
Gendarmerie units have violently clashed with demonstrators along the Seine River throughout the 7th Arrondissement, home to the Palais Bourbon, meeting place of the French National Assembly. Using water cannons and tear gas, security forces have just barely managed to keep protesters from reaching the Palais.
--- More as it emerges.
This article is a work of fiction, intended to support the storyline of the 3d MRB Arma 3 Realism unit.