Posted on 03/18/2006 6:22:18 PM PST by SmithL
PARIS -- Police loosed water cannons and tear gas on rioting students and activists rampaged through a McDonald's and attacked store fronts in the capital Saturday as demonstrations against a plan to relax job protections spread in a widening arc across France.
The protests, which drew some 500,000 people in cities across the country, were the biggest show yet of escalating anger that is testing the strength of the conservative government before elections next year.
In Paris, seven officers and 17 protesters were injured during two melees at the close of the march, at the Place de la Nation in eastern Paris and the Sorbonne University. Police said they arrested 156 people in the French capital.
Four cars were set afire, police said, and a McDonald's restaurant was attacked along with store fronts at the close of the march.
Tensions escalated later Saturday as about 500 youths moved on to the Sorbonne, trying to break through tall metal blockades erected after police stormed the Paris landmark a week ago to dislodge occupying students. The university has become a symbol of the protest.
Police turned water cannons on the protesters at the Sorbonne and were seen throwing youths to the ground, hitting them and dragging them into vans.
"Liberate the Sorbonne!" some protesters shouted. "Police everywhere, justice nowhere."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
These students are rioting for the right not to be fired! Ridiculous!
This is what I understand RF
Apprently it would be easier to employers to fire young people who come to work LATE or not at all that what I understand from SKY news wire
They are vandalizing businesses for the right to not get fired. I bet that looks good on a resume. We should start a mass resume mailing, to get smart French companies to oursource over here.
I can see why employers don't want to hire them.
Funny how an anti-Bush protest of 5,000 people is bigger news than an anti-Chirac protest of 500,000. Man I hate our media.
Why do they say "Fiery" in the headline rather than "violent"? Fiery sounds like something spicy and endearing. Media bias? Maybe I'm just paranoid about the MSM.
Just my 2 cents here; why would ANY business not fire every employee after 729 Days? As soon as they pass the 2 year mark, you can't fire them. Thus, this looks like a legal way to roll over your payroll every (1-day short of 2 years) period; and not be stuck with poor workers. The good will be tossed out with the bad.
Have you ever hired anyone? trained them?
Chances are if you have a quality employee with two years of expereience you want to keep them.
For those of us who have actually done so... duh.
What the heck is it with French and fires!
See! Chirac on ice!
See! A French Surrender!
See! Islamofascists In Hell!
LOL.
28 seconds. LOL.
I wouldn't work for the French, I'd rather starve.
What do I get? ;^)
How about the sound of one hand clapping?
Woo whooo!
Froggies learning new tricks from ragtime cowboys!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.