Paris branch at May day demonstration

“Vous êtes des anglais et vous manifestez? C’est chouette!”

This reaction from a young couple at Bastille was one of several expressions of approval as the NOOJ banner made its third appearance this year, at the traditional May Day manifestation in Paris – proving that not only did our turnout raise the profile of the NUJ, but overturn stereotypes too.

A solid core of branch members and honorary members followed an unusual route from Port Royal to Bastille, thus taking in both Left and Right banks.

On a beautiful spring day, nothing could have been more enjoyable than this peaceful expression of humanity, full of smiles, waves and muguet blossoms with the slogan “Rêve Générale” posted as stickers on many protesters backs. It had a very different atmosphere to the recent strike-related demonstrations, even though in other European cities including Berlin and Athens things were turning nasty.

But this French expression of solidarity was not just for show: it was a historic march that brought together all the French unions for the first time since the Second World War and a promising indication that the crise is finally bringing divergent ideologies together. ’Some people here want a revolution, others just want better working conditions, but everyone is marching together,’ said former branch chair Jeff Apter, who himself can be credited with building our strong union branch that encompasses a wide spectrum of political views.

About half way through the march we passed a giant screen and cheered as our pistachio green banner filled the screen. The camera panned back and we disappeared into a crowd of thousands. 160,000 were there, according to the French unions (65,000 according to the police, mais bon), on an unforgettable day.

Join us next year under the green banner. As many of us don’t have the vote in our chosen country of residence this is one of the few occasions when you can assert your democratic voice along with the French people.