A rally is organized, Saturday December 5, at 11 am, Esplanade De-Gaulle, in Rennes, on the theme of “employment, wages and social progress”, by unions of employees and students (FO, CGT, FSU, Solidaires, Union pirate and FSE). A static gathering authorized by the prefecture.
“This December 5 is a national day of action against unemployment and precariousness”, specifies the CGT which calls for a strong mobilization: “Unionism and demands cannot be confined. “
“Against the police state”
But, beyond this social front, several student organizations have chosen to open a second on the theme of freedoms. The General Assembly of Rennes 2, Environmental resistance, Rennes 1 in struggle and Rennes DTR call, on Facebook, to participate, in the wake of this gathering, in a “Great march against the Global Security law, against the police state and against the whims of the police”.
In the viewfinder of these movements, there is of course article 24 “Which prevents the police from filming”, and that they consider as “A lollipop granted to the police unions”.
Section 24 will be rewritten
The government has already announced “A complete rewrite” of this text. In Rennes, two demonstrations have already taken place on the 21st and November 28, at the initiative of the Brittany Press Club, against this global security law, judged “Liberticide”. On the other hand, the Press Club gathered last Monday decided to “Do not call for a new demonstration”.
The authorities fear that this march will be held against the Global Security Act, which has not yet been officially declared. The police are planning a security system “Up to it” to avoid overflows and protect the historic city center.
How many forces will be mobilized? No figures are given for the moment. Saturday 28, a CRS company and a squadron of mobile gendarmes were present in Rennes, i.e. a workforce of 180 police and military.
“Behind the shops, families to feed”
The Carré Rennes merchants association does not hide his concern either. “The Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle gathering is one thing, of course I respect these social demands”, underlines its president Laurence Taillandier. “On the other hand, if the undeclared event results in new overflows, like last Saturday, I am very worried! “
The shopkeeper reminds us: “A Saturday is half of the turnover for the week and the month of December is 30 to 50% of the turnover for the year. Behind our windows, there are traders who are in debt, families to feed. “ She fears for the survival of these businesses: “If they don’t work this month, after the two confinements, many will go out of business. With the social consequences that we know. “
Laurence Taillandier fears that it is “The demonstration of too many, in a period when many traders are exasperated. And some might lose patience. “
Demonstrate unhindered
On the issue of violence on the sidelines of demonstrations, the Pirate Union, the majority in Rennes 2 and also present in Rennes 1, is very clear. “It wouldn’t happen if we could freely access public space, to demonstrate, believes Fabien Caillé, vice-president of the union. However, we are systematically denied access to the city center and it is each time on these checkpoints that confrontations occur, like last Saturday. “
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