The Chaos Of A Demonstration By Medical Personnel In France

Illustrations (Twitter / @ prefpolice)

JAKARTA - A demonstration of the COVID-19 crisis, which was attended by thousands of medical personnel, from doctors to nurses, ended in chaos in France. Police guarding the march began firing tear gas at protesters demanding higher wages and better working conditions in front of the Health Ministry on Tuesday, June 16.

Launching Reuters, the Paris police said, the peaceful action which later became chaotic was allegedly due to the presence of anarchist "black bloc" protesters. As recorded in a video, the mob from the black block who arrived then attacked the police while overturning a car, while others focused on throwing stones at the police.

For that, the Paris police blame the group for hijacking a peaceful action by health workers. "People who commit violence are not included in peaceful demonstrations," said the Paris police station.

Even so, conditions on the ground are tense. Tear gas began to be fired by police, then protesters began to retaliate by throwing glass bottles and stones at riot police. There were also firefighters who were busy extinguishing a trash can that the protesters had set on fire.

Manifestation déclarée et autorisée par la @prefpolice, gâchée par les exactions commises par des casseurs qui n'ont rien à voir avec les # soignants. @ Prefpolice dénonce ces comportements violents. pic.twitter.com/FAYqjLVL8S

- Préfecture de Police (@prefpolice) June 16, 2020

A total of 16 people were arrested in connection with the chaos of the COVID-19 crisis. Before the chaos, medical personnel had raised concerns that the COVID-19 crisis had divided public health services in France.

“Our hospital operates like a machine, as if we were workers. We are no longer there to care, "said one protester who said he earned 1,450 euros a month after ten years on the job.

Demands for wage increases and providing decent work space conditions were voiced long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In fact, the same action has been carried out since last year.

Unfortunately, the government's response through President Emmanuel Macron was only making promises. This is because the promise to increase state spending on health and to provide bonuses for nurses has not been realized until today.