Saturday, at place du Châtelet (1st arrondissement), I came across a smaller demonstration than the one of last weekend. This time the people were demanding the requisition of empty apartments in Paris, which I doubt they will obtain. What struck me was the enormous amount of police in the area, whereas there must have only been 50 people at the most. I cannot tell you more, I was asked to leave...
I love French people's unbowed detrmination to voice their dissent, and to take to the public arena (the street) to do it, even if it is a small few.
ReplyDeleteThat kind of democratic expression is very precious.
Glad you left Eric - that guy looks tough!
ReplyDeleteLooks that it's true that you have a lot of demonstrations...
ReplyDeleteI understand that protestors will be upset and believe that their demonstration is not being taken seriously if there isn't a large show from the gendarmarie.
ReplyDeleteIf the police are young, fit and handsome, there is going to be very little trouble from me!
What were they demanding? I'm not clear on it.....
ReplyDeleteIsn't it customary, though, to see a lot of police show up around the Chatelet? Isn't the Police Headquarter pretty close from there anyway? When I lived in the 5th (a few blocks from there) they used to come down full force, armed to the teeth, for the smallest disturbance... even got the tear gas, once, oh joy!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, nice B&W shot, but be careful, Eric... these situations can degenerate rapidly, as you know.
As the cold months come, I can guess why the requisition of open apartments might seem appealing. Is that what they would like. . .to find available housing for those who can't afford it?
ReplyDeleteA very nice photo of the officer's back and the crowd!
-Kim
LIBERTA...
ReplyDeleteRESISTENZA...
Nice back… and cute little green man yesterday too !
ReplyDeleteThanks Eric !
The guy looks tough but... pretty hot too. Sexy scruff, large shoulders, a bit of a tan, I wish Eric you have the front pic somewhere... Are the parisian police guys all that hunky?
ReplyDeleteSo many issues, so many people, so much unhappiness. No wonder the world is in such a mess. I love the photo. The symetry is perfect.I am glad you are safe, Eric, because one never knows what an angry crowd might do.
ReplyDeleteBonjour,
ReplyDeleteJ'aime bien cette photo, un premier plan le gendarme qui scrute droit, le second avec cette foule désordonnée, et le troisième avec ces arbres qui sortent.
Bravo et bon courage aux manifestant, au DAL et surtout aux mal-logés.
I think, if you had asked him nicely, he would have put on a bright green plastic kagoule (maybe a green kepi as well), and started walking around soyou could take his picture. You really should have asked.
ReplyDeletelol @ the girls who are sweet on the cop! He does look pretty good looking!
ReplyDeleteHow many cops does it take to get the the tootsie roll center of the tootsie roll pop?
One...two....three.....*crunch*
Bon, alors, just how many different types of cops are there in Paris? Is the "gendarmerie" on his shirt a general term as we have in the U.S. as "police" on vests? Aren't there a couple different types of city police, controlled by different government offices?
ReplyDeleteOne has to know that there is a french law saying that people or companies having empty flats can be asked by the authorities to let homeless people live in them.
ReplyDeleteOf course, it is a totally irrealistic law, it has never been used (as far as i know), but people were probably demonstrating to apply this law.
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteThere is a difference between Gendarmerie and Police in France, even if seen from far way, they do approx the same job.
The Gendarmerie belongs to the Army, while the Police doesn't.
I think you can equate the Gendarmerie to the National Guard in the U.S., the C.R.S. (Compagnie Républicaine de Sécurité) which are basically anti-riot police, and the police are, well, police.
ReplyDeleteHope I got that right!
thank you for the explanation michael. i have another definition for gendarmerie... HOT!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Haxo and Michael. I thought there were several law enforcement bodies that operate in the city. As to Latecia and others, who like this body of law, it was Henry Kissinger, that devilishly handsome and sexy guy (!!), who said "Power is the ultimate aphrodesiac". All guys need is a Gendarmerie jacket, a Boy Scout hat, and an attitude, and whoopee! the babes are all over you! Wish I had known all these years. Aah, c'est l'amour!
ReplyDeleteI like this photo very much! He looks ruff & tumble!
ReplyDeleteIt's strange that while more policemen are around us, we dont't feel less risk.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Perú
Irredento Urbanita, well said!
ReplyDelete