The Auchan store in La Défense was blocked this Wednesday by several hundred demonstrators. An initiative of the CGT, which invested this hypermarket in the business district near Paris to request the withdrawal of the law on pensions.
Amar Lagha, secretary general of the CGT Commerce and Services Federation, told AFP that “280 to 300 people” had participated since Wednesday morning in this action aimed at “denouncing the law on pensions”. A police source, for his part, estimated the number of demonstrators present at 150.
“Even if the president” Emmanuel Macron “thinks he wants to turn the page, we want to go as far as withdrawal,” said Amar Lagha. “We have already seen laws being withdrawn. Whatever happens, we will not let go, we will go to the end, ”he assured.
A GA to decide whether or not to extend the occupation
The Auchan hypermarket in the 4 Temps shopping center in Puteaux (Hauts-de-Seine) was chosen as a “symbol of capitalism and the power of big bosses” because it is located in the business district of La Défense, explained the trade unionist. A general assembly was to be held Wednesday in the middle of the afternoon to decide whether or not to extend this occupation next night, he added.
Auchan management confirmed to AFP that it had “closed the store at 11:00 a.m.” and “brought in a security team to ensure the safety of goods and people”. According to management, the demonstrators present were “almost all outside the store”. She said she was in contact with the prefecture, the police being present on the spot.