Huge fire erupts at Paris restaurant as riots cops battle ‘Block Everything’ protesters – with more than 350 arrested
A HUGE fire has erupted at a restaurant in Paris as outraged protesters continue to cause chaos across France.
Over 350 arrests have been made nationwide amid the “Block Everything” campaign – which is aiming to disrupt transport links and bring the country to a grinding halt.
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Rioting broke out across France today as ministers warned of an “insurrectional mood” caused by President Emmanuel Macron’s failing administration which now hangs by a thread.
Over a hundred blazes have appeared across the French capital – the epicentre of the riots – with one of the worst being at a popular restaurant.
A terrifying fire raged at Wafu Bar on Rue St Denis with the flames climbing up the side of the burnt out building.
Footage shows armed riot police battling the flames which have engulfed the entire restaurant inside.
As some officers try to put out the blaze others are seen pushing back onlookers and urging everyone to evacuate the street.
Much of France has grinded to a halt in the past 24 hours after Macron appointed his seventh prime minister in less than nine years.
Sebastien Lecornu pledged to do a better job than his immediate predecessor, Francois Bayrou – who was sensationally forced out in a confidence motion on Monday.
Bayrou was ousted after he tried to slash some £38billion from public spending in an unpopular austerity measure in an attempt to combat skyrocketing national debt.
This caused a civil uproar with around 100,000 campaigners said to be taking part in nationwide protests.
Brazen campaigners attempted to wreak havoc on roads and rail hubs including the Eurostar at Gare du Nord.
Nearly 200 people were arrested in the capital, the local prosecutor said, while across the country at least 350 arrests were made.
The violence prompted 80,000 police and gendarmes to be deployed.
Shocking footage shows balaclava-clad demonstrators setting up barricades to block road intersections nationwide – in towns such as Bordeaux, Marseille, Nantes and others.
Severe traffic has also built up on highways between major cities as the country is brought to a standstill.
Cops were seen dispersing protesters with tear gas as firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish raging infernos.
Meanwhile in the capital, frenzied demonstrators launched rubbish bins and flares at police officers as the chaos spiralled out of control.
The Tenon Hospital in eastern Paris was hit by staff walkouts – leaving patients waiting and wards spilling, France 24 reported.
Protests even broke out at schools in the capital, as well as in Montpellier and Rennes – where young people wearing masks held up placards and assisted the blockades.
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A 17-year-old pupil told AFP: “We’re fed up because we feel like we’re the sacrificed generation because, for example, there’s no money for anything at school.”
A police spokesperson in Paris said: “Most of those taken into custody were threatening public order.
“Many more are expected to gather as the day progresses.”
The newly-elected PM promised a “profound break” from the old system of leadership during his handover ceremony on Wednesday.
The movement was formed on social media this summer and is supported by the largest trade union in the country, the Confederation of General Workers (CGT).
They are also trying to blockade fuel depots, slow down cars and demonstrate in city and town centres.
Some online posts have even encouraged people to loot supermarkets as part of the protests.
The astonishing scenes have drawn comparison to the inafmous Gilets Jaunes (Yellow Vests) movement, which previously forced Macron into several policy changes.
What is the ‘Block Everything’ campaign?
by Harvey Geh
AS France spirals into political chaos, the “Block Everything” campaign is now looking to bring the country to a standstill.
The movement, which translates to “Bloquons Tous” in French, was born out of the prospect of facing severe public spending cuts.
Outgoing Prime Minister Francois Bayrou’s controversial austerity bill proposed scrapping two national holidays, freezing pensions and cutting over £4billion from health spending.
In total, it planned to slash some £38billion from public spending in an attempt to combat ballooning debt.
The “Block Everything” movement has vowed to shut down France in response, by paralysing its transport links and stirring up widespread chaos.
The campaign launched in July this year, immediately drawing comparisons to the 2018-2019 Yellow Vests – meaning Gilets Jaunes – movement, which first brewed over fuel taxes.
The movement garnered momentum through social media and encrypted chars over summer, and has no clear leadership associated with it.
Most supporters of the “Block Everything” campaign are on the left or extreme left, research shows, as opposed to the Yellow Vests who claimed to be apolitical.
Protesters have set up road blocks, caused disruption at rail hubs and called for crippling strikes to bring the country to a halt.
Social media posts rallying protesters together have in some cases called for looting and attacks on “ultra-rich capitalists”, France 24 reports.
The campaign aims to torpedo financial belt-tightening plans while also addressing general discontent around inequality.
A major railway union called Sud-Raid said on X: “The fall of the government is good, but it’s insufficient.”
The current two-day labour blockade is expected to affect domestic and international travel around across the country.
It also takes place at the same time as the London Underground strike – exacerbating the challenge for Brits trying to get to Paris and vice versa.
Eurostar said to its commuters: “If you have a connecting journey, please check for travel updates ahead of your trip.
“You may need to allow extra time for your journey.”
There have also been calls for further strikes and stoppages on September 18 including air traffic controllers.
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The Palace said the president wants his new prime minister to hold talks with all parliamentary opponents to find compromises on the budget.
It added that other policies would also need to be agreed on before naming the new cabinet.
French Prime Ministers get appointed by the President and then are tasked with forming a government.
Macron could call another snap parliamentary election, but many observers believe this is unlikely.
It comes as extremist parties continue to put pressure on France‘s political establishment.
Far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen said on Sunday: “This crisis was provoked and fuelled by Macron and all those who have served him.
“Today, because of them, France is the sick man of Europe.”
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