Nationwide strike and protests against cost of living in Savoie and Haute-Savoie, France, Digi Mart USA News (Savoie and Haute-Savoie, France): More than 250 rallies are planned across France on Thursday, called by unions demanding higher wages. The day of mobilization follows the fourth wave of protests against the high cost of living, a day of strikes and demonstrations called by the intersyndical union coalition.
Demonstrations are scheduled throughout the day in Annecy, Sallanches, Thonon-les-Bains and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. In Chambéry, early mobilizations had already begun, with a bicycle protest, known as a Vélorution, departing from Place Malraux at 7:30 a.m.
About sixty cyclists joined high school students from the Monge high school in front of their establishment. Cyclists from the Vélorution blocked the roundabout at the end of Rue de la République in Chambéry.
A few dozen high school students demonstrated in front of the Gaspard-Monge high school, while students who wished to could enter the building. The Vaugelas high school in central Chambéry was also not blocked.
A new call for student mobilization was issued on Tuesday in the Pays de Savoie region, as in many parts of France, even as the government has called for a lull in the movement. Several blockades and rallies have been organized, notably in Chambéry and Annecy.
Residents are advised to expect blockades, demonstrations and disrupted traffic in Savoie and Haute-Savoie. The source notes that earlier protests included the “Bloquons tout” movement on September 10 and an intersyndical strike day on September 18.
On Friday, new gatherings of high school students were reported in Savoie and Haute-Savoie, with clashes and property damage, particularly in front of the Lycée de la Versoie in Thonon-les-Bains, where security forces made new arrests.
