French Artists Join Mass Protests in Paris and Nationwide
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Tens of thousands of artists, culture workers, and art students marched in Paris on October 24, as part of nationwide protests that have swept France since mid-September. The demonstration, which began at Porte d'Italie, was organized by Cultures en Lutte, a network of culture-sector coalitions, and the National Union of Visual Artists (SNAP-CGT).
Protesters gathered despite a significant security presence, including anti-terror soldiers, special units, helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons. The French government had announced a 'massive' security deployment following the destruction that occurred on October 17. Approximately 1,000 protesters were arrested in Paris alone, with several hundred thousand more protesting across the country.
The protests come after the preemptive closure of major cultural institutions, including Art Basel Paris and the Louvre, due to the planned demonstrations. The marchers carried signs with various messages, including warnings against the use of artificial intelligence and critiques of political leadership.
This latest round of protests follows a series of demonstrations that began in mid-September, with participants from various sectors, including labor confederations and student unions, joining the cultural workers in their calls for change.
