During the demonstration against the pension reform, this April 13 in Rennes, thugs set fire to two vehicles. The owner of one of the cars, a young 29-year-old auto-entrepreneur, is stunned by this act of vandalism.
“I supported the movement, but there, I do not understand” David blurted, stunned. In front of him, his car is still smoking. A group of thugs, present during the demonstration against the pension reform on March 13, attacked his Mercedes. A second vehicle, a Tesla, was also set on fire in downtown Rennes.
“I parked 30 minutes ago. And I find my car in flames”. Amazed, the young man holds in his hand a bag with a shirt he has just bought. Invited to a wedding this weekend, David had come to the center to run an errand. His car was shining for the future event.
How does burning his car help the cause of the demonstrators, wonders the Rennais. Still in a state of stupefaction, he can’t get over it. “It’s a 2011 car. A Mercedes that I bought for 10,000 euros. Is that the symbol of capitalism?
Auto-entrepreneur in the sector of green spaces, the young man works for a salary far from that of the big bosses. “I do pruning around Rennes. I work in nature, I maintain the trees. I live near Saint-Grégoire. My car is my wealth. I lost it.” Bitter, the young man sighs. “I’m not rolling on gold… But there, I’m not about to hit the road again…”
To activate the fire, young people installed wooden panels on the car. A tag is written in red letters on one of the boards. “Constable, get out”. Some come to have their picture taken in front.
Roof, door, bonnet, everything is set on fire, nothing will remain of the car. The scene is filmed from all sides. The unofficial procession, made up of around 1,500 young people dressed in black and hooded, is frozen around the car. They Applause.
Under the jets of glass bottles, the firefighters intervene. Protected by the police, they manage to control the situation. The arsonists boo the police. In a few minutes, the fire is extinguished.
“Yesterday a Tesla, tomorrow employers”
On the Telegram thread “The House of the People” the images of David’s car burning are commented on and applauded. “Garbage cans are over! we move on to cars, it seems” notes the administrator of the account, followed by nearly 2,000 people.
A catchy remark. Half an hour later, after the white Mercedes, it’s a Black Tesla that is tagged and burned this April 13. Images reminiscent of the Tesla burned during the first action against pension reform on January 19. Posters “Yesterday a Tesla, tomorrow employers” are pasted along the route. A slogan also present on the walls of the University of Rennes 2 occupied by young students.
