Paris...the fourth manifestation this one from Place d'Italie to Invalides, before the Senat(e) votes tomorrow on the proposed reform by the government which aims at raising the age for retirement from 60 to 62 over 8 years.  The new bill is opposed by 70% of the people but was already  approved by the Parliament.

     Nation-wide this the last of four protest has received much media coverage mainly beause of the violence in Nanterre and Lyon by teenagers who destroyed public property, burned a few cars and torched a school.  More than 1500 were arrested.  This manifestation was different from those before in that there was a very large participation by students, both high school and university age, whose classes were  cancelled and whose participation was very well organized.

     Although these acts are deplorable they represent the actions of a small minority of the reportedly more than 3 million people who protested.  But sadly,..compared to politics, violence, regardless in what degrere, captures the headlines of all media and obscures the important story...and in my opinion,  encourages some youngsters to promote themselves in a youth culture which seems to value such anti-social/destructive behaviour.

     I was present at all four demonstrations..;from beginning to end..and I choose to remember this past month's 4 protests in a somewhat positive manner..that is,... millions of people expressing their right to assemble and protest for that in which they believe...regardless of what you may think of the retirement age...whether or not it should be 60 or 62 ...or, some other age or non at all,...and forgiving the aspects of  the oftentimes mindless sloganeering and crowd/mob mentality .

..'tous ensemble".."tous ensemble" .all together..all together

                  A victory for the French worker!!..;.Bravo!

          However the question remains:

              Can they get satisfaction?.....Will they ever be satisfied?