A Nation on Strike

In a recent development in France, President Emmanuel Macron has taken the initiative to raise the national retirement age by two years through the utilization of Article 49 in the French Constitution, without requiring a vote from parliament. The President has emphasized that this measure is critical for the nation's well-being. However, the citizens of France hold a contrasting viewpoint, believing that alternative methods could achieve pension system balance while also demanding their voices be heard. The manifestation of their disagreement has materialized in the form of protest demonstrations, with thousands taking to the streets. The strikes have resulted in the interruption of crucial services such as sanitation, railways, and schools.
I am reminded of the Occupy Wallstreet Movement that caught the nation’s attention in 2001. In September 2011, an assembly of primarily young individuals, gathered in Zuccotti Park located in the Financial District to denounce economic inequality, corporate greed, and the pernicious influence of money in politics. Soon, the "Occupy Wall Street" movement garnered immense support, spreading to other cities in the United States and around the globe.
The demonstrators dubbed themselves the "99%" to draw attention to the ever-increasing wealth gap between the top 1% and the remaining population. They vehemently criticized the government's bank bailout, asserting that the financial recovery neglected common citizens, favoring the affluent. The protesters also highlighted their concerns about the sway of money in policy-making, which they believed empowered wealthy individuals and corporations with disproportionate influence.
With everything that's been going on in our country lately, I can't help but wonder what's being done to make things better. It's amazing to learn that there are actually groups of people coming together to organize strikes and put pressure on the government to take action. I found two such movements, @unitedwestandstrike and @generalstrikeus, on TikTok. Individuals who have been impacted by our current economic situation, frustrated parents who have lost faith in our failing school systems, and those who have been affected by the healthcare crisis, are all rallying for your commitment to join them in a strike that aims to capture the attention of our government.
This Monday, April 3rd, an opening strike will be launched by United We Stand. “That will basically go until the Mayday Strike.,” says @unitedwestandstrike. They continue, “The Mayday Strike starts May 1st and continues through the entire month of May.”
Their shared objective is to garner political change by gathering 3.5% of the population to participate in the strike. On the surface, it may seem like an achievable feat, but the reality is that it requires the participation of eleven million people. Despite the enormity of the task, they are determined to make it happen. History has shown that the collective efforts of protesters and strikers in other nations have resulted in significant political changes, as witnessed in national news. If you're interested in learning more about the strike movement and joining their cause, you can find the links to the relevant URLs below.

TikTok: @unitedwestandstrike
              @generalstrikeus
https://www.unitedwestandstrike.com/
Written By: Alice.in.Londini.land