The rain has temporarily subsided and demonstrators are beginning to gather in front of the Toulon Labor Exchange. The lead truck is adorned with all the flags of the inter-union: CGT, CFDT, FSU, UNSA, Solidaires.
The only speech mentioned the war, the future European elections and “the threat of a new austerity plan”.
Respond to the political context
As the procession sets off, the unity of the union camp can be seen at the front. Red, white or orange chasubles parade side by side.
Few slogans launched, but common slogans: “For peace in France and in the world, for social justice and against far-right ideas”recalls Richard Roméo-Giberti, departmental secretary of the CGT du Var.
He insists on this last point. “I I would like to say it, the RN is not the friend of the workers. It is a mistake to believe it.”
At the back of the demonstration, we find certain left-wing political movements which parade separately. A group of protesters sing “No to intimidation of Palestinian activists!”
There are notably flags of France Insoumise. “We consider that the working class in France and around the world must feel concerned by the genocide in Palestine”defends Gérard, a retired and “rebellious” civil servant.
“We’re getting organized.”
In the midst of this audience essentially made up of activists, the proportion of young people appears quite small. Proof of disinterest? Not according to Romaric, Var secretary of the Movement of Young Communists of France (MJCF).
“Last year with the retirements, many young people were already involved in the movement. Young people are getting involved, we were able to restructure a JC in the Var recently.”
Last year’s demonstration brought together several thousand people, in the midst of a movement of opposition to pension reform.
Mobilization was therefore significantly down this year, probably also little helped by the weather conditions. However, the unions have been demanding the arrival of new members for a year, and say they are ready for the deadlines to come.
“We are sending a message to the opposite camp: we are organizing, and there is a moment when all this organization will materialize”concludes Richard Roméo-Giberti.
