The sun is at its zenith on this spring Wednesday. It is 1 p.m. in front of gate 2C of the large maritime port of Marseille. Since early this morning, dozens of dockers and other demonstrators against the pension reform have occupied the site in order to block it, at the call of the CGT which is organizing a dead port day throughout France.
Away, Maxime, Claude and Patrick, three port agents on strike, have their eyes riveted on a mobile phone. The President of the Republic is speaking for the first time since the start of the mobilization against the pension reform. And only a few minutes after the start of this television interview, the first insults and sighs of annoyance burst forth.
“What the fuck is he saying?” “Asks a protester who passes behind the trio. “It looks like a teacher giving a lesson, it’s horrible when he talks like that,” fumes Maxime, a CGT parka on his back. “What a liar in addition, plague Claude next to him. He found billions for the army, and he can’t find one for pensions? At some point, you have to stop! “When Emmanuel Macron evokes violence by the demonstrators, the tone rises in front of the screen. “If you are against it, that you don’t make too much noise or not too much mess, that’s good, Maxime quips. His of violence, we do not condemn them? To go through the force, because you are not sure to make the majority in the National Assembly, it is violence! »
Macron “is in denial and cynicism”
A little further, in a quiet room, another trio listens to Emmanuel Macron. “I am disgusted to see how much he is in denial and cynicism, says Régine. There is such a discrepancy between rhetoric and reality…” “I don’t even want to watch anymore”, launches his neighbor Hélène, who turns her head away. A feeling shared by the majority of the strikers present this Wednesday. Only a handful indeed attach importance to the interview of the President of the Republic. At lunchtime, the enthusiasm is more pronounced around the barbecue or the refreshment bar, like the CGT general secretary of the Grand port maritime de Marseille.
“We no longer expect anything from this character, justifies Pascal Galéoté, a glass of soda in hand. Today, it is totally inaudible. I think he is not aware of the situation and that he is not working for the general interest. So we didn’t listen. Once again, this is throwing oil on the fire. This is irresponsible and dangerous behavior. He bears the responsibility for the disorders of the social movements which will continue in the coming days. Be that as it may, we are more determined, convinced and optimistic than ever. »
Behind Pascal Galéoté, on a makeshift pitch built for the occasion, a few strikers compete in petanque in front of the port. “Don’t think it’s a pleasure to be there playing bowls, claims Stéphane. I would rather get up in the morning to go to work. Today, I am not paid. Boules is folklore. I am here in memory of my mother. Stéphane pauses, his eyes moist. “My mother, she worked all her life, and she died at 64. Her retirement, she enjoyed six months. She didn’t even take advantage of my children. So no ! We will go all the way, until the withdrawal. Too bad if I have to eat stones. »