Turmoil & Tranquility

After Saturday 17 October – A big bandage on the main door of City Hall Marseille

A sudden upheaval kicked the country upside down on 17 October. Although the protests were announced in advance nobody expected violence, destruction and looting. That was not planned by the protesters either, but others abused the situation and put the country on fire. The protests are justified. The violence is not. Also I was shocked to learn about the education situation of high school students, the run-down buildings and the lack of teachers. It is their future that begins with a false start, while finding a job after graduation is a big challenge.

After 17 October – Life goes on as usual

One week later, on Saturday 24 October, the protests continue in most cities albeit under heavier police scrutiny. I want to to see whether it remains peaceful this time and what the atmosphere is among the protesters. The gathering point at Réformés, a central part of the city, is crowded with students, parents, political groups and people, like myself, who agree and participate. The motivation is high and people feel angry but are not aggressive. Protest we must because politicians often live in a bubble of another reality. Who had ever heard of dilapidated schools, no teacher replacements, crowded classes and too long school hours.

No Fascists and More Leftists says the lady in yellow

With the adults protesting against the increasing high costs of living, we can only hope that the protests will have a constructive response from the government, but it all depends on who will be governing, with the next presidential election coming up in April. The political groups that participate in the protests address the larger problems of society and that of the world such as social inequality, the ecological challenge of our lifestyles, the climate crisis, and the threat to democracy itself.

With other words – our near Future. Worldwide there is the tension between the extreme right and the extreme left while the true need is for a balanced view that resolves the complexity of all the challenges.

At last Marseille has entered a season of lower temperatures, what was it called in the past again? Oh, yes, autumn, but it does not feel like that yet. The nights demand a blanket when sleeping while the day can still be warm with a cool wind. Fine with me, regular hikes in the Calanques can start again. I was curious to see what the heavy rains earlier had left behind in the forests, big mud puddles or artistic pine needle patterns.