The social media-driven movement Nuit Debout (or Standing Night) have taken to the streets in more than 30 cities in France. Workers and students are protesting against the French government's decision to start examining the contested labour law reforms that make it easier for employers to sack workers.
Spreading rapidly spreading across France, areas such as Paris, Nantes, Toulouse and Rennes are being taken over for the night-time demonstrations. People are gathering in public spaces, such as Place de la Republique and Place du Capitole, objecting to the new government proposals. Nuit Debout has been compared to the 2011 Occupy movement that galvanised thousands to takeover sites in business districts in New York, London and numerous other cities. In France, the movement has grown beyond a single issue and the occupiers are using the protest to express their dissatisfaction with the leaders and political processes of France
People listen to speeches in Place de la Republique as they take part in the Nuit Debout movementThomas Samson/AFPPeople of the Nuit Debout movement face riot police at the Place de la Republique in ParisDominique Faget/AFPA man holds a red flag as people of the Nuit Debout movement gather in Rennes, western FranceJean-Francois Monier/AFP
The sit-in demonstrations have been organised to discuss the best way for French citizens to express their dissatisfaction with what have been called "misguided French republican ideals," according to Free Speech Radio News.
The protests have been happening consistently, in light of the 31 March protests that saw hundreds of thousands of people filling the streets of France as part of a nationwide strike against the changes that could be potentially made.
A woman who is part of the Nuit Debout movement faces riot police at the Place de la Republique in ParisDominique Faget/AFPPeople listen to speeches as they take part in the Nuit Debout movement on Place de la Republique in ParisThomas Samson/AFPPeople raise their hands as they gather on the Place du Capitole in Toulouse as part of the Nuit Debout movementEric Cabanis/AFPPeople raise their hands as they gather on the Place du Capitole in Toulouse as part of the Nuit Debout movementEric Cabanis/AFPPeople gather on the Place du Capitole in Toulouse as part of Nuit DeboutEric Cabanis/AFPPeople of the Nuit Debout movement take part in a meeting in Nantes, western FranceLoic Venance/AFPPeople gather on the Place du Capitole in Toulouse as part of the Nuit Debout movementEric Cabanis/AFPDozens of people, gathering as part of the Nuit Debout movement, take part in a show-of-hands vote in Nantes, western FranceLoic Venance/AFPPeople gather on the Place du Capitole in Toulouse as part of the Nuit Debout movementEric Cabanis/AFPThe Nuit Debout movement gather at the Place de la Republique in Paris, as participants plan to spend the night camped out in protest Elloitt Verdier/AFPPeople listen to speeches as they take part to the Nuit Debout movement on Place de la Republique in ParisThomas Samson/AFPPeople listen to speeches as they take part in the Nuit Debout movement on Place de la RepubliqueThomas Samson/AFP
