Written by: Karim Hammam
Tensions escalated between the local branch of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) and authorities in the French city of Toulon, against the backdrop of demonstrations witnessed in the city on October 17, 2026. The union issued an official statement strongly criticizing the security forces' handling of the crowds, and questioned the figures announced by the prefecture regarding the number of participants in the protests.
Disputes Over Participant Numbers
The issue of estimating the number of demonstrators is a core point of contention between the two sides, as the Var prefecture announced that participants in the demonstration reached about 4,000 people, while estimates by the local CGT union confirmed that the crowds ranged between 8,000 and 10,000 demonstrators. The union considered that the official police estimates were much lower than reality, pointing out that the demonstration included a broad spectrum of society, including students, employees, retirees, and Yellow Vest movement activists, in a gathering the city has not witnessed since the major protests against pension system reforms.
Accusations Against Police of Using Tear Gas
The union directed direct accusations at the security forces of escalating tensions on the ground, confirming that the march was peaceful at its beginning, before the police intervened by firing tear gas near the Mayol shopping center. According to the union's claims, these interventions caused the march to scatter and disperse into smaller groups, which contributed to increasing anger among the demonstrators instead of calming the situation, which contradicts the statements of regional prefect Simon Babre, who stressed earlier the need to maintain public order in the absence of a prior permit for the march.
Authorities' Response to Acts of Violence
In contrast, the union acknowledged the occurrence of some acts of vandalism at the end of the day, including the removal of barriers from the Christmas market and clashes with security forces after the gathering was dispersed. However, the union stressed that these violations do not reflect the behavior of the vast majority of participants in the demonstration, warning against holding all protesters responsible for the actions of a few individuals.
Calls for New Protests
Despite the state of tug-of-war, the union announced its adherence to its fundamental demands, which include improving public services, increasing wages and pensions, and achieving social and tax justice. The local federation affirmed its intention to continue protest movements, announcing the organization of a new day of strike and demonstration on November 5, 2026, stressing that the language of repression will not succeed in silencing the growing social demands on the French street.
