French lawyers throw off their robes to back ongoing STRIKE against pension reform

Bar associations in cities all over France have staged theatrical demonstrations to draw the public’s attention to the longest general strike in decades, which has been underway since December 5. Videos posted on social media show the lawyers tossing off their robes, carrying a “coffin of justice,” spelling out “SOS” with law books, and singing protest songs as they demand a retraction of the new pension system Macron’s government recently unveiled.

Les avocats du barreau de Bayonne reconduisent le mouvement de grève contre la réforme des retraites et jettent leur robe devant le palais de justice de #Bayonne pic.twitter.com/PRuocdxCU5

— France Bleu Pays Basque (@Bleu_Basque) January 13, 2020

En grève dure depuis une semaine, les avocats du Barreau de #Marseille déposent leurs robes et annoncent le dépôt de 300 demandes de mise en liberté. pic.twitter.com/ivek3xrjBz

— Christophe Casanova (@Telesantaclub) January 13, 2020

The strike has disrupted some major trials, including that of former priest Bernard Preynat – the worst clergy abuse case to reach French courts so far. Preynat is accused of sexually abusing 75 Boy Scouts; while he admitted to the abuse in the 1990s, he was only defrocked in July after his superiors covered up for him. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted, but the case is on hold due to the strike.

#ReformeRetraites Manifestation du 13 janvier sur les marches du Palais de Justice : dépôt des robes au pied du cercueil de la justice pic.twitter.com/HedeoBtswY

— BARREAU DE LIMOGES (@OrdreAvocats87) January 13, 2020

The lawyers are just one of many professional groups that have stopped work to protest the proposed “one-size-fits-all” pension scheme. Under the current system, different professions retire at different ages and receive different benefits, complications Macron has complained is unfair and too expensive. As the strike edged into its sixth week, the government offered to withdraw the most controversial proposal – raising the retirement age two years, from 62 to 64 – but not all unions took the offer.

Les avocats accrochent leurs robes aux grilles du palais de justice de #Rouen #greve13janvier pic.twitter.com/TXBs78gUEK

— Manon (@manon_leterq) January 13, 2020

The general strike is the longest one for transit workers since the creation of France’s national rail service.Nurses, teachers, refinery workers, and port workers have joined also in their opposition to the government. The Yellow Vests, still protesting after more than a year, have joined the strikers in solidarity at marches in the cities, with the past weekend’s march reportedly drawing over 1.3 million across the country.

@FerhatNawel @Avokayon @soubremarieanne @Avocatslyon pic.twitter.com/s343sLXlgr

— Thomas Bernard (@TTBernard) January 13, 2020

The Yellow Vest protests were initially sparked by another of Macron’s austerity reforms, a gas tax that was ultimately rescinded in the face of massive public opposition.