We’re in Bordeaux, loving the urban environment, the city’s bustle, the Christmas decorations. And the student demonstrations today. Two confirmed marches. Possibly a third. Possibly the same students. For all of the marches Santa hats were the accessory du jour, and all had the same general air of hilarity. None disintegrated into menacing mobs of discontented youth. The marchers were more excited about having their picture taken.
Student demonstration in Bordeaux
Student demonstration in Bordeauxbut I was distracted by the hats. And the general air of hilarity.
but I was distracted by the hats. And the general air of hilarity.
The camera phones were out in full force. As were the megaphones. There was the usual demonstrational shouting, but it was done with jolly flair. Maybe the Santa hats had something to do with that.
The gendarmes brought in for crowd control and direct traffic looked bored. Because these protesters didn’t appear to be of the Greek protester persuasion or hold much promise of requiring the use of tear gas canisters. (Rats!) So the gendarmes took turns buying baguettes and chatted amongst themselves.
Student marchers "storming" the fountain of the three graces in the Place du Parlement, Bordeaux.
To those not in the know – ahem, us – the marches seemed a little silly. Perhaps the Santa hats were misleading. But at least the students showed enough interest in issues affecting them to organize, make banners, and shout en masse. I’ve never participated in a demonstration. Tim marched in a couple when he lived in London, but that was because the march was followed by a really good concert.
