Mobilization against the pension reform: in Paris, traders on the course of the demonstrations “try to adapt” to avoid overflows

Last mobilization before the constitutional verdict. Hundreds of thousands of people opposed to the pension reform before the verdict of the Constitutional Council are expected in processions across France, Thursday, April 13, at the call of the inter-union.

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The mobilization should remain consistent, although in decline compared to the last day of action, a week ago. At the Ministry of the Interior, territorial intelligence forecasts between 400 and 600,000 people in the streets, to be compared with the 570,000 listed on April 6 and 740,000 on March 28. “Tomorrow, people will be able to demonstrate against the government’s plan without fear, and with the positive support of the police and the gendarmerie.“, thus promised the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin on France Bleu Gironde. Tens of thousands of participants are expected in the
Parisian procession, which must set off, Thursday, April 13, from 2 p.m. from the Place de l’Opéra to that of the Bastille.

“I have a fire extinguisher and diving mask”

But on this Parisian route, concern is in order for traders. Patrick is the manager of a newsstand, places de la Bastille. For him, a day of demonstration means fewer customers. However, it is still open. “I want to know what’s going on. Minute by minute, I will adapt my strategy. I have a fire extinguisher, I would have a large bucket of water if by chance something started to burn to try to leave my booth in good condition”, he assures. But it’s more for prevention: “JI didn’t have too many problems. I had seen during certain demonstrations the tear gas flying in front of my kiosk. But now I have a snorkel mask that at least insulates my eyes. I try to adapt!”