French Protest Union Defies Demo Ban Threat, Says Not to Blame for Violence

 

Reuters, 16/06 14:34 CET

By Brian Love

PARIS (Reuters) – The head of a French union blamed for months of violence-marred demonstrations said on Thursday it would stage more street marches against labor law reform next week, and accused the government of trying to discredit legitimate protest.

The riposte from CGT union leader Philippe Martinez followed running battles in the streets of Paris and threats by President Francois Hollande to ban further marches.

As he spoke, a court official said around 40 people arrested in Tuesday’s clashes were sent to face a judge in Paris, risking immediate sentences of months in prison for public order offenses.

“It’s as if the CGT is to blame for everything going on in this country,” said Martinez, whose hardline union, one of the largest in France, plans more protests on June 23 and June 28.

“The government must stop throwing oil on the fire,” he said, adding that attempts by Prime Minister Manuel Valls to pin blame for violence on the CGT risked exacerbating tensions. 

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Source: euronews.