Orléans demonstration against National Rally

The Orléans demonstration against the National Rally on Saturday, October 24, was organized by the CGT security service and gathered between 13,000 and 20,000 people without any incidents.

CGT Éduc'action's role in the event

Magcentre, a news organization, contacted a representative of the CGT Éduc'action, a union representing staff in the National Education system, including teachers, AESH, CPE, health workers, administrative, social, and technical staff. The representative spoke about the union's role among the young demonstrators and the violence that occurred at the margins of the student movement.

CGT's security and mediation role

The procession on Saturday in Orléans, organized by the union, took place without any police intervention. Since the first day of the student mobilization, the CGT has served as a link between the high school students and the prefectural authorities in order to avoid wild gatherings or demonstrations.

CGT's response to concerns about appropriation

Magcentre asked if the CGT's participation was meant to appropriate the anger of the youth, which originally was built outside of the union's structures. The representative responded that the anger comes first from the high school students and that their denunciations are the same as the union's, including issues such as overloaded schedules, lack of teachers, downgrading of students in the professional track, overcrowded classes, the Parcoursup system, lack of assistants for students with disabilities, lack of medical staff, and deteriorated buildings.

CGT condemns acts of violence

Magcentre also asked about the acts of violence, such as broken windows, incinerated urban furniture, and looted stores, which overshadow the voices of the young and the issue of purchasing power. The representative condemned these acts, stating that they divert attention from the real reasons for the anger and that the media has chosen to focus on vandalism rather than on state violence and the lack of response to demands.

CGT criticizes government's stance

Regarding the Prime Minister's reference to a "movement of violence," the representative said that the government, with the complicity of almost all the media, diverts attention from the real causes of the movement and refuses dialogue. The representative called for a different policy, including increasing the minimum wage, unfreezing the salary index for civil servants, reinvesting in public services, and eliminating aid to companies.

CGT opposes restrictions on demonstrations

Magcentre asked if the bans on demonstrations and restricted areas are considered a necessary response to protect citizens or a serious setback to the right to demonstrate. The representative stated that these measures are totally unacceptable and unconstitutional, and that if the government maintains this position, wild gatherings will occur.

CGT plans continued mobilization

The representative confirmed that the CGT plans to continue calling for mobilization to achieve all the demands, including strikes, economic blockades, and static gatherings.