On the eve a controversial French ruling on pension reforms, protestors stormed Louis Vuitton’s headquarters.
On Thursday, striking railway workers broke into the Paris headquarters LVMH Moet Shennessy Louis Vuitton’s (LVMH) headquarters. This brand also includes Christian Dior and Fendi.
This comes as protestors in large numbers took to the streets of Paris, some clashing with police.
Footage taken in Paris also shows a shop window that has been smashed and a Tesla car that has been spray painted on fire.
Demonstrations are being held in cities and towns across the country, including Rennes, where photos also show a Mercedes on Fire – as a final act of anger at proposed pension reforms.
France National Strikes Explained: Why are workers so mad?
It is expected to be followed by a ruling on whether President Macron’s controversial plan to increase the retirement age for French citizens complies with constitutional standards.
These plans would see the average retirement age rise to 64 from 62, and sanitation workers would have to work for an additional two years to reach 59.
On Thursday morning, dozens of protestors waving flags and flaunting flares entered the LVMH premises at 22, Avenue Montaigne. This was the 12th day nationwide demonstrations since the strikes began in mid January.
Hours before, protestors piled rubbish in front the Constitutional Council. The Council is due to decide on Friday whether the reforms are legal. A banner was hung across the street that read “Constitutional Censorship”.
Although the rubbish was eventually removed, it signalled that a new strike of refuse collectors had begun. This strike coincided with Thursday’s nationwide demonstrations.
This follows a earlier strike last month, which saw France’s capital transformed into a dumpsite and thousands of tonnes of rubbish left on the streets.
A number of hundred protestors blocked bin lorries from a refuse site in the south of Paris.
Sophie Binet, leader of the left-wing union CGT, which is a key organisation fighting for the reforms, declared: “The mobilization is far from over.
“As long the reform isn’t withdrawn, mobilization will continue in some form or other.
She added, “This is definitely not the final day of the strike.”
More information on French protests:
Dead rats were thrown at City Hall by Macron as one of his favourite restaurants.
Demonstrator in critical conditions and 16 injuries in clashes
CGT was one of eight unions that joined forces in January against potential pension reforms.
After the Council’s decision not to work on any other proposals, President Macron stated that he would organize a meeting with unions.
The CGT however warned that the initiative would be short lived if Macron wasn’t prepared to talk about withdrawing pension reforms.
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The French premier addressed journalists during a press conference on Wednesday as part of a state visit in the Netherlands. He said: “The country must keep moving forward, work, et face the challenges that lie ahead.”
French anger does not show any sign of abating – with Mr Macron being compared to Louis XVI because he ignores the will of people.
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