The President of the Republic himself agrees: "This May 1, 2020 is unlike any other ". “ Today, no gathering in our cities to celebrate, as we have been doing for so many years, International Workers' Day. (...) I know all the constraints that weigh on the joys that normally accompany this symbolic day , "added Emmanuel Macron in a short address to the French.
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An unprecedented situation, of course, which does not detract from the motivations of the unions, moreover praised by Emmanuel Macron. CGT, FO, FSU, Solidaires ... far from the bitumen they usually frequent on May 1, all want to raise their voices and celebrate this date, by other means than that of the demonstration.
To begin of course by responding to the President of the Republic: " We are used to this kind of message from the President, which is forgotten a few days later, " launched the CGT leader, Philippe Martinez, on France. Inter. " If he supports the first of the chores, let him demonstrate it, " he adds. The CGT also calls to highlight, on May 1, health workers, employees in commerce, food, paramedical, social, cleaning or public service agents, all in the front line facing the coronavirus.
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Same story with the number one of Force Ouvrière, Yves Veyrier. " We heard the president boast of May 1 and the solidarity of the workers, but it's been a while since I explained that from the start we have been there, " he launched in Le Figaro . " Fortunately, we were there to protect the cashiers, install Plexiglas and set up an organization to ensure that barrier gestures are implemented in businesses, " he adds. According to the union leader, this exceptional May 1 is not dramatic for the union forces, since they have had the opportunity to be heard since the start of the epidemic. He also quipped: " the fact that we are in this incredible situation, where half the planet is arrested, the international trade union movement could not have dreamed of a better strike action ".
Demonstration attempts
If no call to demonstrate was launched by the trade union centers, certain rallies were held outside the organizations. In Paris, fifteen people claiming to be of the “ solidarity committee with strikes and resistance ” tried, for example, to demonstrate at Place de la République. In vain, containment measures strictly prohibit it. In addition, without launching an appeal, Philippe Martinez still went to Place de la Bastille, in Paris, for a gathering of fifteen people. " This May 1, more than ever, is a protest May 1, " he said. Our first concern is the protection and health of employees, in health establishments, nursing homes, home help, transport. "
In the 18th arrondissement of the capital, demonstrators also defied the containment measures, under the control of the police, asking them to leave the premises.
In front of the hospitals, some rallies were also planned. " These will be very short moments, with photos and videos taken, then people will leave, " explains Mireille Stivala (CGT), who herself organized an initiative in the morning at the Parisian Saint-Louis hospital. Fabien Roussel, leader of the Communist party, for his part offered, at dawn, sprigs of lily of the valley to the staff of the Pitié-Salpêtrière.
In Orleans or Rouen, a few other fleeting gatherings, made up of a handful of people, respecting the wearing of masks but not always physical distancing, were filmed and relayed by unions. Ditto in Toulouse, where fifteen people paraded in front of a shopping mall to denounce the opening of supermarkets with automatic cash registers, according to a video posted on Facebook. Singing the rallying song of the " yellow vests ", the demonstrators were then interrupted. In addition, the CGT denounced the opening today of the Casino d'Angers, deeming it " irresponsible ". At midday sharp, in the port of Marseille, the quayed boats blew their fog horns in support of the sailors at sea. In Douarnenez still, a hundred people answered a call to demonstrate, before a rapid dispersal, reports Le Telegram .
Calls on social networks to make casserole concerts were little followed in the capital and in the Paris region, AFP journalists finally found.
Faced with containment measures, many initiatives have therefore been carried out on social networks. Demonstrators on their sofa, gatherings staged with playmobils or garden gnomes, covers of the Internationale in the lounges or on the balconies: photos and videos are flourishing.
The CGT, for its part, invited to make videos or photos with the message to complete: " the day after ... ". These online claims related to " early retirement ", " a fair distribution of wealth " or " a 32-hour week ".
True to its tradition, Force Ouvrière also launched an appeal on its side. " We also know how to use the means of communication, " explains Yves Veyrier. " Perhaps worse than some youtubers, " he continues, however.