"It's easier on the weekend": new profiles expected for the first day of mobilization on a Saturday

William Molinié and Simon Bourtembourg 9:58 a.m., February 11, 2023

The protest against the pension reform in the street continues with a fourth day of mobilization, the first on a Saturday.

Unions are hoping for a rebound from Tuesday's falling numbers.

For their part, the intelligence services foresee more children and parents coming to demonstrate as a family.

Private sector employees who have not been able to mobilize previously are also expected in the processions.

A different physiognomy.

Between 590,000 and 820,000 demonstrators expected

But overall, the number of demonstrators should be down from the last two days of action.

No doubt because of the school holidays in zones A and B. According to our information, between 590,000 and 820,000 people are expected in 220 processions throughout France.

In Paris, we anticipate between 90,000 and 120,000 people between Place de la République and Nation.

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In the regions, 60% of the demonstrations will take place at the end of the morning.

The most mobilized cities should be Toulouse and Nantes, where more than 22,000 people should take to the streets.

The processions of Caen, Montpellier, Angers, Rennes and Lille will undoubtedly also be provided.

Last Tuesday, during the last day of the strike, 750,000 people took to the streets, according to Place Beauvau.

Less than the first two demonstrations, 1,272,000 on January 31, and 1,120,000 on January 19.

“In my opinion, there will be more people on a Saturday than during the week”

The objective of organizing this mobilization day on a Saturday is therefore to allow as many people as possible to take to the streets.

And some French people will even mobilize for the first time.

Agnès, 22, is against the pension reform, but she has not yet been able to demonstrate.

"More people can be affected. In my opinion, there will be more people on a Saturday than on a weekday. I'm a trainee so I don't even know if I really have the right to strike. So it's easier for me to go there on Saturday where I know that I will not handicap my colleagues at work", she underlines.

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Like her, Romain has already prepared his signs.

This vigilante in a ready-to-wear brand will take to the streets for the first time.

This time, he will accompany his wife, accustomed to demonstrations.

"I wanted to do them but I work every time. The goal is still for everyone to mobilize, for there to be as many people as possible. A weekend is easier", he explains.

A fervent opponent of pension reform, Anne will demonstrate once again on Saturday.

She hopes that the processions will be fuller.

"Anyone who wants to go will be able to go. There are more people who will be able to do it on Saturday."

It is in any case the wish of the unions which, since the beginning of the movement, organize for the first time a demonstration on the weekend.