Not just LA: major demonstrations in Paris & London

In LA it's immigration. In France it's a labor law that makes it easy to hire and fire workers 26 and younger. And in England it's all about pensions. England's demonstrations are the largest in 80 years; not including Paris, more than 450,000 took to the streets in France today. Wow. Has everybody seen V for Vendetta?

Paris: Much is being made of a clash between affluent, educated young people and rough, poor young people on the streets of Paris. But our site there (while apologizing for its awkward English, which is still far better than our French) says it's a mess, but it's not a riot:

It's a mess right now on Place de la République.

This place is quite central. If you've ever been a tourist in Paris, you've been there, there are so many subway lines going through it. But it's also THE place where nearly every demonstration walk through in here. Today's protest was supposed to finish here. And the "casseurs" (litterally, "breakers") were first. Fighting the police.

It's quite worrying to see all those young stupid guys breaking stuff and giving such a bad image of the social movement, which is very peaceful and reasonnable. All the students protesting are VERY careful about security, but what can you do when dozens of F***** hit, and run, and break...

But, we've got to tell you. It's NOT civil war in Paris. These are NOT riots. The violence only takes place in some very precise perimeters, INSIDE the demonstrations, and only DURING the demonstrations. Londonist friends, please don't believe the Sun. I live 100 meters from Place de la République, and I'm not afraid (well, I would hate them for breaking my favorite pancakes shop, but eh....).

London: Londonist says that the strike bodes ill for Gordon Brown, who would like to be Prime Minister.

Pensions Crisis Hits The Fan

Over a million local government staff across the country have gone on strike today over their pensions. Services provided by local councils, such as schools, libraries, sport centres, refuse colleection and transport are suffering as a result. Eleven trade unions are involved, the biggest of which being Unison, whose General Secretary Dave Prentis claims that "strike action is the only option left to local government workers."

The strike is over plans to scrap a rule allowing some people to retire on a full pension at 60, which the government says is discriminatory. The Unions hit back, by saying that the government plans are in fact discriminatory, as many of the staff affected are women in low-paid council jobs, and that the proposal will just increase the gender pay gap in the UK.

So what of the implications for the government? Well, it is seen as a real failure for Gordon Brown, as it is part of the pensions black hole that he has presided over as Chancellor. It certainly doesn't bode well for his Prime Ministerial prospects. In fact, Brown pissed off strikers earlier today when he walked straight past a picket without saying a word. The negotiation talks are apparently being undertaken by Deputy PM John Prescott, so we probably won't see a resolution anytime soon.