In Lyon, the demonstration began with flowers, hung by Solidaires firefighters on the shields of the CRS. It ended, three kilometers later, in clashes and tear gas, place Charles-Hernu in Villeurbanne. The course was new, with fewer shops to avoid ransacking. Which is not to discourage Delphine Front, 51, librarian: “Financially, it’s exhausting, each time a day’s salary skips. But I will try to hold on. If the Constitutional Council cancels provisions of the law, we will be legalistic, but all this will leave traces. »
Her husband, Stéphane, 61, an archivist, admits his doubts but does not want to say he is defeated. “It may be the last stand. I’m afraid this will be the last. But if I have to come back, even in retirement, I will come back”, assures the agent, whose end of career would be postponed for a few months. The referendum as a solution? “It will be long and therefore the subject of the next presidential campaign. A lot of young people will be interested in it., predicts Delphine. Enamelled with fires and violent damage to windows, the Lyon demonstration counted 22,000 participants, according to the inter-union, 9,900 according to the prefecture. Half less than March 23, “Mobilization remains important for a school holiday day”says a CGT delegate.