Those of you who thought I was going to post a photo of Jackson Browne that I just went to see at the Olympia are going to be disappointed... Instead, I went especially yesterday (Monday) to the Hotel de Ville (town hall) to take a photo of a demonstration that has been going on since March 23. 24/7 people walk around the black board you can see in the background. What are they protesting? The latest education reform that was voted 2 years ago.
A demonstration? I thought you were posting at this hour because you were out partying with our favorite auctioneer!
ReplyDeleteIt's called "la ronde des obtinés", I think it's pretty clever to do that. Not sure the Government will understand though...
ReplyDeleteGreat that you caught the blackboard between the legs! How many times did it take? So - a demonstration in Paris. Well, there's a thing. lol.
ReplyDeleteDid you enjoy Mr. Browne? Did you stay a little bit longer?
Not that this isn't interesting, because it is. Here in NYC, people just march down the street carrying signs. In Paris, they put some imagination into their protests!
ReplyDeleteAlexa, I wish! But Eric declined my invitation and prefered partying with Jackson Browne. I know, it's crazy...
ReplyDeleteBTW, GF? Again?.. Bravo!
Too bad, Guille! But I understand, as I'm sure you do too. I love Jackson Browne—lucky you, Eric, back at the Olympia. Bet it was a great show!
ReplyDeleteLike anyone needs an excuse to hang around the Hotel de Ville all day.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot, Eric. Well worth the wait.
Gros bisous!
More pics of Guille!!
ReplyDeleteI love the use of the iconic chalk blackboard for a protest regarding education. Much more impact than a white board!
ReplyDeleteAlexa, congrats again, GF. So what's it to be on today's crown? A blackboard? Perhaps a 70s Jackson Browne? {I want his hair.}
Looks like it's raining, too!
ReplyDeleteI didn't get it, did they demonstrate 24/7 ?
I remember once a few years back, we took turns marching for Breast Cancer, overnight. We split shifts between us, a whole group of people. Luckily I drew 10 pm to 12 a.m. Pfeww!
Creative demonstrating or marching for a cause is kind of fun and can help get the point across.
People walk around it 24/7?!
ReplyDeleteDon't they get dizzy??!
:)
Jackson Browne at the Olympia...nice! Bet you weren't just "running on empty" by the end of that concert, Eric. As for this photo, I wish the educators well (since I'm in that crowd myself), though I can't say I know what reforms they are seeking. Hmmm... Pay increase? Vacation time? Longer lunches? Smaller class sizes? Surround sound in every classroom? Jazz education 24/7? One day a week devoted to Coltrane...ok, Miles too? Just a hunch--one of these is a hit...LOL Seriously, I wish them well. ;-)Peace.
ReplyDeleteSurround sound in every classroom, hahaha!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this kind of protest will work in Austin, Texas. On Wednesday they will be considering a proposal to drop fine arts as a requirement for high school graduation. Students have had to take ONE course in either music, art or drama during their four years of high school. If this passes the fine arts programs will die along with joy and creativity.
ReplyDelete(Stepping off the soapbox to walk circles around the hicks in Austin.)
No one would EVER think of dropping the arts in France!
:0
Coltrane -- that all sounds most reasonable and worth demonstrating for (especially one day a week devoted to Coltrane).
ReplyDeleteWren -- say it isn't so! How very depressing. Now THAT sounds like a fight worth burning some shoe leather for! Good luck and keep us posted, okay?
Walking around a sign 24/7 sounds a bit ridiculous to me. I hope they at least earn frequent demonstration miles or something. Monica - LOL!
ReplyDeleteBTW, today the crown is adorned with clocks and watches in honor of Jackson Browne's "Time the Conquerer" world tour. Speaking of which, it's late—bonsoir!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh... so that's what I saw going on at 4am on the Hotel de Ville webcam. Good to know. No lights on at that time.. bunch of shadowy figures had me worried.
ReplyDeleteTwo years ago !!! Talk about having staying power. The Parisien demonstrators are something....
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the photo from yesterday with all the beautiful art AND beautiful Guille !
Yes, I was quite surprised to see that the police allowed so many open protests right in front of the Paris town hall, but then Delanoe does try to set himself up as a mayor of the people, and he's a lefty, so that's probably why.
ReplyDeleteGood to see people putting a spin on a cause though. Har har.
ReplyDeleteAnother very nice photojournalistic shot, Eric. With so many protests to document all the time in Paris (or so it seems) what brought you specifically to this one? I wonder how many people are influenced by the 3 am somnabulists, or even the 3 pm circlers. I'm a jaded American, I guess, but, I do wish I could understand this part of the French culture - so far though, no go!!
ReplyDeleteI look at this and see the tennis shoes (baskets in French?) people are wearing. Notice, les americains, that there is not a white pair to be seen on these French people. Nor are they the huge, heavy looking ones, either.
ReplyDeleteMy doctoral dissertation on cultural differences is now over.
STOP...PRESS... Shock horror! Intimate images of Carla Sarkozy, taken with an ex lover have been stolen. That must be a nightmare. I should edit that I assume they are OLD photos with the lover of the time? :0
ReplyDeletePhx: thanks for pointing that out, even though I don't wear les baskets it is nice to see some that aren't outrageously hideous!
ReplyDeleteHow long do they plan on doing this? Monica: if they are still there in June let's get dizzy wit it! :D
I really think you should all adopt this habit when at the picnic. You know, a little circular motion by the Seine... lol!
ReplyDeleteI think it was probably a good idea of theirs though, to make this demo stand out against others. We all at least remember it now, don't we?