Today was surreal from the moment I woke up.
This is from the perspective of a person that cringes at the idea of a small gathering of people.. The plan today.. Head to the streets for one of the biggest ever Parisian protests. I could hear whistles drums and sirens from 9am and by 11am they had started barricading streets and lining them with police vans and men in full battle uniform with shields and guns… I did a morning scout to confirm that my sites would work and I decided to return in an hour and head to the other side of the canal and brave it .. so back to the studio for a coffee and pee and to make sure i double knotted my boots as don’t need to be tripping in the upcoming atmosphere!!
I arrived at the vantage and a line of police were pointing people in a direction..(I was really impressed with the police organisation, they were extremely patient with protesters and directed people into what routes would take people to join or avoid the protest .. it was good and clever! Im sure they’re used to dealing with protests but i was completely surprised that they was no angst in informing pedestrians how to join in..just smart….) I followed .. It was to the front! So intense. To begin it was a slow pace towards the impeding noise, lots of people strolling, the louder the noise the more signs, creations, dress ups and vests both yellow and red. I moved off the centre of the street to the sidewalk. I was just taken along with the crowed I could feel my brow bubble with sweat and my back called out to me that I was crossing into stressful territory. As long as I keep to where the side streets are I thought. ..it’ll be okay.. so forward, forward into the crowd..
A cannon fired the commencement and I jumped about a foot it was followed by much smoke and cheering. It was incredibly full on, none of my footage (which was from my camera jammed into my top jacket pocket) seemed to show the incredible emotions.(.maybe because it sat below head height.. )The smoke filled the street and there was a red glow from some lanterns that headed up the march .. Some people yelled and had amplifiers others cheers the songs in call backs to group leaders, the majority were protesting by walking along side with signs help up or pasted on their backs. I didn’t enter the centre street stage and felt only able to support as a witness of their grand gesture……
I kept trying to access the safety situation and when I saw police lower their masks and push forward that was enough… I turned down a side street where a large bin was on fire and being put out by locals and a second group of police were masking up ready to join the crowds.. i passed at least 10 police vans down this street and more were on adjacent roads…(crazy to see them try and get out..) by the time I could work out where Id got to and how to get back the adrenaline had kicked in and i was on a high.. FUUUCKK!!! Ill attach the film its about 13 minutes so feel free to ff or skip it!! A glass of bubbles have calmed the nerves and exhaustion settles in as I ponder an early night watching twitter feeds of the events that followed! #greve17decembre..
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The first tweets suggest over a million took to the streets and the first tear gas was implemented about 40 minutes ago……. its terrible that its going to turn so badly but I can totally understand after being there, the air is electric and the anger is palpable..
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The bells outside are ringing out 6pm and the twitter feed is full of violent outbursts at Nation ( where the protest I witnessed ended) Firefiighters with their hands in the air in retreat are attacked by police..its turning, so badly.. There are so many hurt, its out of control, its so upsetting.