French elections May Day Part 2

Well the May Day rally was huge.

Here in Paris there were 60 000 people who marched through the streets it was incredible, I had never seen such a large May Day rally. The rally stretched along a very long French Boulevard that went from Republique to Nation. There were not only unions represented but also politcal movements from around the world there as well. A lot of the rally sentiment was of course Anti-Sarko as it was the Thursday before the second round elections. I was overwhelmed by the number of people as well as bu the fact that we were going against the current s we were coming from Place de la Bastille ( after the Segolene Royal rally).

It was very colourful and unfortunately I didn't get a good enough shot of the sea of people ( short people.......) that surrounded us. It was a lot of fun and hard work as the day was very hot.

I have been really inspired to see that people are very politcal and socially aware here. When I was in the library I could here the librarians arguing the merits of Royal vs Sako, in the streets or in the cafes.

In spite of Sarko winning I think there might be un uphill battle for any major changes to come through. The new Prime Minister François Fillion put together a proposal that all young people could be paid less when offered work for an indefinite time period, the student movement protested until the then Prime Minister recanted because of ongoing student pressure

Back at the Sego rally I was very proud to see that the Chilean President was being showcased. could imagine. So excited that I had to take a picture too bad I got a bald head in the way it would have been a good shot.

The stage was ful of women, and only women were speaking to say why they supported Sego for president. Go girrrrls, boys were there but they were in the supporting role.

These are some friends, Cristina and Mariama ( some of you may know them from Australia they are now living in Paris) and Silvana and Viviana 2 chilean girls that we met here, they are studying in Paris.

Till next blog

Cazuela xxxxx