For my cousin David. Thank you for discussing politics with my dad and Curtis all the time. I love talking politics with them but I only have so many brain cells left these days. I have to conserve.
Curtis got me a map today and showed me where my gym was (the one I looked for for two hours the other day). I walked straight to it! I did my own spin class and I pretended I was my spin instructor Paula while Timberlake and I brought sexy back.
Afterwards there was a big crowd gathered outside the gym. There was a drum circle! I had no idea why, at first I thought it was a parade. The people looked like college kids mainly and many were wearing bandannas over their eyes.
I asked several people and their English wasn't the best (but way better than my French) but I got that they were protesting proposed labor laws that they feel decreases workers rights.
After I saw the police in riot gear I decided I wasn't in the mood for drum circles anymore and I headed out (my route home was closed so I got lost again).
The protesters obviously had a permit and there were tons of police and all but one road was closed to pedestrians and for a long ways the roads were closed to cars. The police didn't seem angry or annoyed but instead had blocked off traffic so the people could assemble and protest.
I have seen other demonstrations since we got here (that's for another post) and while I find large groups of people shouting things in a language I don't understand slightly terrifying, the demonstrations make me feel safer as a whole. As an American and the daughter of a veteran, I believe the right to peacefully voice dissatisfaction with those who govern me to be a basic human right and the hallmark of a healthy democracy.
Plus, I am a rock and roll girl and I like to see people stick it to The Man.
Curtis got me a map today and showed me where my gym was (the one I looked for for two hours the other day). I walked straight to it! I did my own spin class and I pretended I was my spin instructor Paula while Timberlake and I brought sexy back.
Afterwards there was a big crowd gathered outside the gym. There was a drum circle! I had no idea why, at first I thought it was a parade. The people looked like college kids mainly and many were wearing bandannas over their eyes.
I asked several people and their English wasn't the best (but way better than my French) but I got that they were protesting proposed labor laws that they feel decreases workers rights.
After I saw the police in riot gear I decided I wasn't in the mood for drum circles anymore and I headed out (my route home was closed so I got lost again).
The protesters obviously had a permit and there were tons of police and all but one road was closed to pedestrians and for a long ways the roads were closed to cars. The police didn't seem angry or annoyed but instead had blocked off traffic so the people could assemble and protest.
I have seen other demonstrations since we got here (that's for another post) and while I find large groups of people shouting things in a language I don't understand slightly terrifying, the demonstrations make me feel safer as a whole. As an American and the daughter of a veteran, I believe the right to peacefully voice dissatisfaction with those who govern me to be a basic human right and the hallmark of a healthy democracy.
Plus, I am a rock and roll girl and I like to see people stick it to The Man.
I've enjoyed reading your blog posts. Have fun on your road trip next week!
ReplyDeleteDavid
I will have as much fun as someone like me can.
DeleteParis, at least is well known for student protest. They helped Napoleon to come to power among others. The streets come together into from a circle and it gets intense.
ReplyDeleteYes this was in a circle street. After i got home curt told me some of the paris ones get intensem this seemed mild. I didnt feel afraid at all. But ny policy is to never hang out around riot gear in foreign countries.
DeleteJ'espère que votre voyage sera grand !
ReplyDelete