Lionel Gougelot, edited by Laura Laplaud 09h21, March 23, 2023

For this ninth day of mobilization against the pension reform, 320 processions are planned in the country according to the inter-union. A scent of revolt in large cities and small towns such as Bouquehault, a small village of 800 inhabitants in the Pas-de-Calais, where a demonstration is organized.

The initiative comes from a small group of inhabitants who want to make the voice of the rural world heard and demonstrate that anger against the pension reform is spreading to the heart of the territories. For this ninth day of mobilization, some residents of Bouquehault, in the Pas-de-Calais, a small village of 800 people, prepared leaflets, placards and slogans. They hope that the inhabitants of the surrounding villages as well as some representatives of the trade union world will join the ranks.

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Anger is "present" in the countryside

Things were done properly. Valentin de Poorter, a young 28-year-old teacher, one of the initiators of this demonstration, came to the town hall to get the certificate of authorization for demonstration. Since Monday, the young man has been walking around the village with leaflets calling for a rally. An unusual social movement for these inhabitants who initially believed in a hoax. "Some people didn't believe it! It's so original and unusual, I even wonder if it's not a great first, "says Julia at the microphone of Europe 1.

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The route of the event will follow the main streets of the village starting from the town hall square. In his garage, Manu, prepares the sign that will be planted at the entrance of the village to say no to the pension reform and 49.3. "The demonstrations are always in cities or big cities and it is true that we do not hear much of the countryside and the anger of the people. Talking to the neighbors, you feel it, it is quite present, "he says.

'Anger is sweeping through the country'

At the head of the procession, a tractor, symbol of the rural world. If it is not certain that the initiative moves the crowds, Valentin counts on the strength of the message that will be carried this Thursday afternoon. "It doesn't matter how many you are, it's the symbol. It is simply telling the government that anger is running through the country. And our goal is to be mediators between people who are angry and a government that does not listen to that anger." With a secret hope: that the Bouquehault demonstration will inspire other villages in France.