Dozens Arrested as "Shut Everything Down" Protests Erupt in France

Widespread protests, organized by a new movement called "Shut Everything Down," swept across France on Wednesday. The demonstrations aim to channel public anger towards President Emmanuel Macron, coinciding with the start of new government formation by Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who was tasked by Macron with the role.

Protest Details and Arrests:

• Widespread Disruption: The protests caused significant chaos and major traffic disruptions in several French cities. Dozens of people were arrested amid a massive security presence, with 80,000 security forces deployed nationwide, including 6,000 in Paris alone.

• Acts of Vandalism: In Paris, groups of protesters set up barricades using trash cans and threw garbage at police. In Lyon, demonstrators blocked a highway and set fire to trash containers. In Nantes, police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, while a cable fire in Toulouse disrupted traffic. Vinci, the highway operator, also reported disruptions in Marseille and Montpellier.

• Arrests and Accusations: Paris police reported 75 arrests. Interior Minister Bruno Rotaille stated that about 50 masked individuals attempted to block roads in Bordeaux. The Paris police chief accused the "radical left" of organizing the protests, while noting they lacked "civil society" support.

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Political Context of the Movement:

• Echoes of "Yellow Vests": Calls for the "Shut Everything Down" movement appeared on social media, drawing comparisons to the "Yellow Vests" protests of 2018. Analysts and officials are linking the two, noting that the new movement began among right-wing groups before being taken over by the left and far-left.

• Rejection of Political Decisions: Protesters argue that the current political system is "no longer fit for purpose." A protester in Lyon described Macron's decision to appoint his close ally Sébastien Lecornu as a "slap in the face." The far-left "France Unbowed" party announced it would file a motion of no-confidence against Lecornu.