'Los indignados' protest march stumbles across a disenchanted Paris

Indignados stop off in Paris. Photo courtesy of the blog Road to Brussels.

Spain’s protest movement “los indignados” (the “indignant ones”) marched through Paris last week en route from Spain to the Belgian capital Brussels. Yet our Observer, who has travelled with the movement all the way from Madrid, said she was disappointed by the less-than-enthusiastic welcome los indignados received upon their arrival in the City of Light.

Los indignados was born on May 15 in Madrid as a means to peacefully protest against the Spanish government after it adopted a wave of tough austerity measures in a bid to save its ailing economy. The movement quickly spread across Spain and was soon mimicked in other European cities that have also witnessed soaring unemployment, particularly among younger generations.

Two months after the movement formed, hundreds of indignados from across Europe gathered at its birthplace in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square. There, they decided to march on the European Union’s headquarters in Brussels, where they plan to mobilise on October 15 to demand “real democracy” and “the end of financial dictatorships”.

In Paris, the first indignados demonstrations were organised at the city’s historic Place de la Bastille on May 19. But unlike in Greece or Spain where thousands of people take to the streets to protest on a daily basis, the movement has barely taken off in France.

The indignados march to Brussels arrived in Paris on September 17, where it was greeted by a meagre group of supporters. Despite the small turnout, riot police were out in overwhelming force to monitor a group of about 100 French and Spanish protesters gathered at Place de la Bastille on September 18.

Undeterred, the indignados staged a second demonstration the following night, where clashes broke out between police and protesters as they mobilised on the chic Boulevard Saint-Germain, in the heart of Paris. According to members of the movement, three people were injured and more than 100 were taken to the police station for identity checks (French police say only 60 people were detained).

The indignados face off against riot police at Place de la Bastille in Paris on September 18.

Photos of indignados in Paris courtesy of the blog Road to Brussels.

"Bystanders prefer to sit and watch us while sipping their drinks at a sidewalk café"

Veronica Leandres is a 33-year-old Spanish artist. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, Leandres decided to join the indignados movement during a trip to Madrid in April. She is participating in the march to Brussels alongside at least 100 other protesters.

I was surprised at the lack of popular support when we arrived in Paris last Saturday, and I was equally shocked by the lack of interest shown by young people. When we gathered at Place de la Bastille and the police surrounded us, nobody reacted. Bystanders either continued on their way or chose to wait and watch the goings on while sipping 

their drinks at a sidewalk café. I really felt that we were not welcome.

I have the impression that nobody is interested in our movement here. This week I’ve been distributing pamphlets in the street and informing people about the demonstrations that are taking place in Paris. Most of the time people ignored me, as if I was trying to sell something or I simply didn’t exist. And yet, I look very presentable and I’m dressed normally! When someone does let me finish my short speech, it never gets any further than “Thank you, goodbye”.

Parisians seem disenchanted. They’re too focused on their personal lives and their own problems. In their eyes, a movement led by young people will never succeed in changing the world. With that said, we are in a capital city and I’m sure that we would receive the same welcome in New York. And when I see how violent the police are, I can understand why lots of people prefer to stay at home instead of getting together to proclaim their ideals”.

Indignados camp out at Paris' Palais omnisport at Bercy on September 20 and 21. Photos published on the website Spanish Revolution.

Photos of indignados in Paris courtesy of Road to Brussels.