Valérie Benier addresses incidents

Valérie Benier, president of Cœur de Nîmes and owner of the shop Mon Horloger at the Halles, spoke about incidents that occurred on October 17 and the weekend of October 23. She expressed concerns about the impact on local businesses and the need for responsible protest.

Merchants support strikes but condemn vandalism

The merchants support the right to strike and demonstrate but strongly oppose acts of vandalism. They emphasized that while peaceful protests are acceptable, property damage is not.

Demonstrations proceeded calmly

According to the Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nunez, most demonstrations took place in a calm manner. He noted that the processions generally went well, with no major incidents reported.

Merchants protected their shops

Valérie Benier mentioned that many merchants took steps to protect their shops from potential damage. This was a response to previous incidents and concerns about future disruptions.

Businesses faced revenue loss

Many businesses had to close temporarily due to the protests, leading to a loss of revenue and a decline in the city center's attractiveness. This has added to the challenges faced by local shop owners.

Demonstrators ignored restrictions

The demonstrators did not follow instructions from the prefecture, which had prohibited certain demonstrations. This led to tensions and concerns about the legality and management of the protests.

Merchants question protest locations

Valérie Benier and other merchants are concerned about the recurrence of protests in the city center. They question why demonstrations do not take place in outdoor commercial areas instead, which might reduce the impact on local businesses.

Calls for reflection on protest methods

Valérie Benier urged a reevaluation of how demonstrations are organized, arguing that current methods are exacerbating existing problems. She called for a more thoughtful approach to public protests.

Merchants face economic challenges

In addition to the impact of protests, local merchants are struggling with a decrease in overall purchasing power. This has made it harder for them to maintain their businesses and recover from disruptions.

No clear solution offered

While Valérie Benier acknowledges the difficulty of the situation, she calls for decisions that are in the right direction. She remains hopeful that a solution can be found to address the concerns of both protesters and local businesses.