US State Department warning on France protests and November 5 strike, Digi Mart USA News (France): The United States has asked its nationals to avoid protests in France on Wednesday, November 4, on the eve of a national strike. In a message posted on X by TravelGov, the State Department wrote that demonstrations, rallies and marches are continuing across France.
A multisector national strike is scheduled for Thursday, November 5, affecting teachers, health personnel, state employees and public transport. The four largest railway unions have called for a joint national strike.
Washington warned that recently approved demonstration routes are located outside city centers, but that protests may occur off the planned routes. The department said recent demonstrations have been violent and have resulted in property destruction and looting.
The State Department also said curfew decisions are made locally and can be implemented with short notice, concluding: “Avoid demonstration areas or large gatherings.”
The warning refers directly to the violence of October 17. That day, a mobilization over purchasing power and conditions in schools drew 550,000 people according to authorities and 800,000 according to organizers before turning violent in Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux and Limoges.
Shops were looted and fires were set, leading to nearly 2,400 arrests and about 1,000 police officers and gendarmes injured, according to the Interior Ministry.
President Emmanuel Macron responded the following day, denouncing “anger and shame” over the scenes. He refused the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and asked him to ensure full transparency about the response of law enforcement.
Despite this climate, unions maintained the November 5 strike, called by five confederations over wages, pensions, public services and planned budget cuts.
