The French President, Emmanuel Macron, took the helm at the customary ceremony on Paris’ Champs-Elysees, marking the day that signified the cessation of World War II in Europe in 1945.
Accompanied by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, Macron paid his respects by placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located beneath the Arc de Triomphe monument. The event was complemented by the Marseillaise performed by a brass band.
To minimize disturbances due to ongoing dissent towards Macron and his controversial pension reforms, police prohibited assemblies in the vicinity of the ceremony in the French capital and in Lyon, Macron’s next destination for the day.
In Lyon, traffic was restricted on several roads, parking was limited, and public transportation was disrupted.
Authorities maintained strict vigilance to prevent the “casserole,” or the noisy clattering of pots and pans in protest, from detracting from the solemnity of the memorial ceremonies.
While in Lyon, Macron paid homage to the French Resistance movement and one of its prominent leaders, Jean Moulin. Macron visited Montluc prison, where Moulin was held captive and tortured by the Gestapo.
Despite police restrictions, unions rallied for protests in some permissible areas of Lyon, where the cacophony of clattering pots and pans reverberated. Authorities managed to scatter the most boisterous factions of the protest using tear gas.
Later in the day, Macron delivered a poignant speech honouring the sacrifices of those who fought in World War II. He emphasized the importance of remembering history to prevent the repetition of such devastating conflicts.
Macron’s address was, however, partially overshadowed by the clamour of dissent resonating from the protests. Despite the restrictions, the sound of clanging pots and pans, a symbol of public opposition to his policies, permeated the air.
The police, maintaining a robust presence throughout the city, intervened when necessary to keep the protest from escalating. Several individuals were briefly detained following minor skirmishes, but the situation remained controlled overall.
In the face of the protests, the French president remained undeterred. Macron reiterated his commitment to the contested pension reforms, emphasizing that they were crucial for the nation’s financial stability.
As the day drew to a close, Macron left Lyon, leaving behind a city echoing with the sounds of both remembrance and resistance. The day’s events were a stark reminder of the delicate balance between honouring the past and navigating the present.
