‘Block Everything’ Protests Sweep Across France, Scores Arrested
Roads blocked, fires lit, and over 80,000 police deployed as unrest spreads across the country
PARIS, Sept. 10, 2025 — Protesters clashed with police across France on Wednesday, blocking roads, lighting fires, and paralyzing transportation in scenes of mounting unrest that coincided with the first day in office for France’s new Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu.
The mass protests sparked by anger over President Emmanuel Macron’s sweeping budget cuts and broader social grievances erupted in Paris, Rennes, and multiple other cities, leaving a trail of disruption and drawing thousands into the streets.
Though the movement fell short of its stated goal to “Block Everything,” the sheer scale and intensity of the demonstrations posed an immediate political test for Lecornu, with observers calling his first day a “baptism of fire.”
Tear Gas, Arrests, and Disruption Nationwide
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed hundreds of arrests and described the protests as “coordinated and deliberate attempts to destabilize.” He said law enforcement had been “swift and strategic,” but not all violence could be prevented.
Key incidents include:
A bus set on fire in the western city of Rennes
Train services suspended in the southwest due to fire-damaged electrical lines
Roadblocks and barricades scattered across both major cities and smaller towns
Police using tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds in several areas
Authorities had deployed a massive force of 80,000 officers nationwide in anticipation, yet still struggled to contain dozens of flashpoints.
The Movement: Online Origins, Real-World Impact
The current wave of unrest traces back to online mobilization over the summer, initially targeting budget austerity measures but quickly absorbing wider frustrations from youth unemployment and inflation to police violence and Macron’s increasingly unpopular leadership.
Though loosely organized, protesters used encrypted messaging platforms to coordinate roadblocks, flash protests, and transport disruptions.
Political Fallout and Public Sentiment
The timing could hardly be worse for Macron’s government. With Lecornu just sworn in after the resignation of François Bayrou, the new prime minister now faces a volatile political landscape.
Macron remains defiant, calling the protests “undemocratic disruptions.”
Opposition leaders have blamed the president’s “disconnect” and called for immediate dialogue.
Lecornu issued a brief statement urging “restraint, unity, and open channels of communication.”
Public opinion appears divided while some support the protesters’ grievances, others worry about the chaos and long-term economic impact.
What’s Next?
Transport unions have announced further disruptions in the coming days, and online organizers hinted at a “national blackout day” planned for this weekend.
Government officials are meeting in an emergency session to reassess security deployments and consider limited policy adjustments to ease tensions.
