Mobilization planned for 24 October in Marseille

A new mobilization is planned for Saturday, 24 October, in Marseille, involving yellow vests, students, and citizens. This "Act II" is uncertain and under high tension following the violence of last Saturday. Impacts on public transportation are expected.

Students demanding better learning conditions

The mobilization includes students and university students, who have been mobilized for weeks concerning their learning conditions, demanding more resources, teachers, better facilities, and a revision of Parcoursup. The yellow vest movement is also central to the mobilization, with demands around the cost of living, energy, and fuel. It calls for "Act II" this weekend.

Support from unions and plans for November

Some unions, including the CGT, have expressed support for the 24 October movement. However, the main organizations are targeting Thursday, 5 November, for a major day of social mobilization and a general strike.

Actions listed for 24 October

A website dedicated to the 24 October mobilization, claiming to represent the yellow vests, lists all the actions. There are currently more than 500 in France, including several dozen in Marseille. Some concern the toll of the Prado-Carénage tunnel, others gas stations, many high schools and universities, as well as demonstrations and gatherings in the city.

Planned demonstrations in Marseille’s center

Three processions are listed in the center of Marseille: the first at Réformés at 10 a.m., and three others at 2 p.m. in front of the prefecture, on the Canebière and place Castellane. Last week, the main demonstration had gone up the Canebière to Réformés, Saint-Charles and the Porte d'Aix.

Uncertain public transport disruptions

In the absence of an official declaration of movement, the Régie des transports métropolitains (RTM) is not communicating about the disruptions to be expected in the Marseille public transport network. However, if the mobilization continues in Marseille, it is likely that the network will be heavily affected. Last Saturday, trams had stopped running in the city center, as had many buses. The metro no longer served stations in the city center.

Banned bikes and scooters in city center

After encouraging prefects to ban demonstrations, the President of the Republic spoke on Thursday, 22 October. Emmanuel Macron seems to be asserting that only demonstrations organized at the request of unions will be authorized. These are not the initiators of the movement this weekend. The head of state also proposes alternative and peripheral routes to protect city centers and businesses. Some cities have already banned demonstrations in their centers, such as Lyon, Nice, Lille or Grenoble. In Marseille, the prefecture has not yet issued a ban on demonstrations.