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 I'm home sick at the moment (nothing serious, don't worry) so it's difficult for me to take photos any further than around the corner of my house! And today I really regretted it as I could have taken this extraordinary scene: a sheep roundup on the Champ de Mars, by the Eiffel Tower! Explanation: about 700 several sheep breeders thought it was the best way to attract the medias attention on their low incomes. It worked! It was in the news everywhere... I had to cheat a little bit (this is a photo I took at the Salon de l'Agriculture some time ago) to report the event, but I'm sure you'll forgive me ;) And if you want to see the real thing, have a look at this photo by François Lafite.
 During my stay in the US last week, I often got the question " and what do you think about the US elections in France?" I kept saying that there was very little discussion among the French, whether they traditionally support the right or the left wing, about 80% of them would vote for Obama if they were Americans. Last evening (Monday) there was even a small demonstration on the Trocadero esplanade in favor of him (yes Suzy, the little blue ray above the head of the woman in the middle belongs to the Eiffel Tower!). Will he finally be elected? We'll soon find out ;)
 I don't always get the things that people I share society with go for. Hence, Techno Music! But precisely, when I don't understand something, I try my best to get to know it better, to make sure I don't miss something ;) That is precisely the reason why I went to the "Techno Parade" today (Saturday). The Techno Parade is a big march in the streets of Paris where thousands of young people - and sometimes less young - gather and dance to the beat! It was fun to watch, but I'm not sure I'll stay tuned to Radio FG (the "official" Techno music station!) all day long! More photos here in a little Animoto video.
 I heard the news on the radio this morning: "farmers are selling their products to Parisians on an improvised market on Place de la Bastille". I went there, thinking this was definitely photo worthy. And apparently I was not the only one to hear the news on the radio! There were several hundreds of people waiting in line to buy fruit and vegetables at a supposedly better price. In fact, I did not really see the difference (actually melons are even presently less expensive in the shop around the corner than there - 1,65 € against 2 €...)
 Between 500 000 and 700 000 (depending on the sources) people took part in the Paris Gay Pride last Saturday (it usually takes place on the last Saturday of June). Of course, it's primarily a political movement (this year's theme was "homophobia at school"), but it's also a very festive moment, full of music, colors and costumes. Needless to say it's a super occasion to take great photos (see here my little Animoto) . FYI, Homosexuality in France has been made legal since 1981 and same sex partners can sign a civil union contract pretty similar to a marriage except that it does not allow them to adopt children.
 Sex on PDP today? Not really, but nudity! Explanation: this weekend we celebrated "Le Vélo" (bicycle) throughout France and in Paris of course (since the creation of Velib', it is extremely popular to ride a bicycle here). This gave an idea to a few protester associations who teamed up with nudist associations and organized a ride through Paris with no clothes on to protest against the invasion of cars, scooters, motorbikes... in Paris. One thing is sure, they managed to get medias' attention; there were more journalists and cameras there than actual demonstrators! More photos on the making of, of course ;).
 Are you looking for a cool gimmick for your next demonstration? Well, leave it up to the French to provide you with ideas! Hence, this bar code used by one of the teachers that demonstrated yesterday (Sunday) near the Opera. I suppose the "hidden" message is "don't treat us like a product"! Precisely, the demonstrators were protesting cuts in the education budget which amounts to 80 billion € (that is 24% of the annual budget for France- 334 billion euros). If you're interested in the French education system, here is what Wikipedia has to say.
 How to attract attention on France's housing problems? By invading empty buildings and inviting the media to attend the operation! I happened to witness such a "commando action", last Thursday, as I was walking around my neighborhood to take photos. The protesters managed to occupy a 5 000 sq meter building (previously used by a school) and threatened the authorities to stay, just like they do rue de la banque (see this post and this one). Only this time the Police got them out a few hours only, after they got into the building. See the whole process in photos in this little video.
 It's been a while since I have posted a demonstration photo. Well, since the season has reopen, here you go! Guess who is "en colère" (angry) at the moment ? The high school pupils. They marched today between Republique and Nation using pretty festive slogans mocking Sarkozy and the Education Minister. Somes things will never change... Here are some more photos.
 Unless you live under a rock, you probably heard what happened to the Olympic torch yesterday (Monday) in Paris: it had to be put out by officials after numerous attempts to disrupt its progression throughout the streets of Paris. Eventually, the torch was placed on a bus, several times, to protect it from demonstrators. Of course your favorite reporter from PDP had to witness this and so I did! I went to the Place de L'Alma and got caught in the middle of the turmoil. Scary, but fun... Here are some of the dozens of shots that I took there.
 I know it's less fun than yesterday's post, but, well things are not always romantic in Paris... Hence this demonstration that took place last Saturday (see more photos in this little slideshow). Several thousands of disabled people marched from République to the Opéra to ask for better living conditions. This implies more money from the Government (they are granted 628 euros/month which isn't a big difference compared to what somebody with no income is guarantied: 448 euros/month). But above all the handicapped don't receive the same amount of respect. An American friend once asked me " Do you hide all your handicapped people?" That says a lot...
 I already mentioned Ingrid Betancourt several times on this blog. She's a Franco Columbian woman who got abducted by the Farc (a Columbian revolutionary movement) on February 23, 2002. To "celebrate" this anniversary, her support committee organized a giant human chain around the hotel de Ville (town hall). This year they emphasized the fact that not only Ingrid is being kept prisoner, but also many other hostages like these guys in the photo...
 I had never heard of this Falun Dafa movement before I took this photo. Funnily, 2 days ago I came across them again, marching in the streets of Paris - probably to celebrate the new year. Let me take advantage of this festive occasion to thank you all for your very nice wishes and compliments that you made lately. Like I said many times here: you are my fuel; without you, I would have quit PDP a long time ago ;)
 It's been almost a month since I've shown you a Paris demonstration! This time it's got nothing to do with retirement nor education, but... with the pigeons! I actually came across this "No to the pigeons' massacre" demonstration opposite to where I took the rooster photo. At first I thought it was some hoax but it turned out it was not, as you can see for yourself on this claim billboard I shot here.
 OK, the transportation strikes are behind us but, wait, there is more! Now the students - and high-school pupils! - want to be in the picture too. They have started demonstrating and picketing in several universities to protest a recent law. One of these demonstrations gave me the occasion to take this photo, that I find pretty funky! The guy in the picture is Kamini, a famous French singer and the stickers that the demonstrators glued to his poster say: "No [need to] claim" and "Let's block everything].
 Several of you emailed me asking " I'm coming to Paris next week or so, how difficult will it be to go from the airport to town and to move around Paris afterwards?" Well, good news, the strikes are coming to an end and even though some strikers still don't accept to give in, it's very likely that everything will be back to normal next week. And don't forget, you can still use the Velibs to move around Paris now!!
 I know you must be a little fed up with demonstration photos, but, well, this is what's happening in Paris at the moment. Like last month (I was on vacation, so I could not witness it) the public transportation workers went on strike and demonstrated near Montparnasse (where I took this photo) to protest the elimination of special rules that allow them to retire earlier than the vast majority of the French. In 1995 the same kind of reform triggered a complete shut down of the country for a month and the government had to give in. This time though, it is very unlikely that the outcome will be the same.
 This week's demonstration was held by sex workers yesterday... They want the senate (in front of which the demonstration took place) to abolish a law that prohibits soliciting (in France, prostitution is not illegal, but soliciting is). Let's face it it's not a very popular cause and there were actually more journalists than sex workers at this demonstration, but still, I think it's pretty brave to do this. By the way, don't ask me why this guy's T-shirt is written in English, I swear I took this photo in Paris!
 Some of you will think I'm late on the blue theme day, but the truth is that I hesitated between yesterday's photo and this one. It's a shot I took recently during a demonstration for Falun Dafa (a Chinese "mind and body cultivation" movement) that is apparently banned in China. When I took this photo I changed - by mistake - one of the settings of my camera and that is how this photo ended up, er.., blue! I kinda like it this way, it looks as if was taken in the morning in a very peaceful moment (the Falun Dafa effect?).
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