Paris club chiefs dismiss US/UK riot warnings
Author: Jonty Skrufff
Friday, April 7, 2006
Both British and American authorities issued formal warnings to their citizens to avoid riot threatened tourist spots including Notre Dame and the Sorbonne in Paris this week, prompting perplexed reactions from prominent local promoters.
“Gee, did they really say that-” scoffed David from Respect Is Burning, “I can't think of a safer place in Paris than Notre Dame really, apart from perhaps when the demonstrations are ending, otherwise it’s as safe as Oxford Street. The Eiffel Tower and Especially Champs Elysées can at times be rough for tourists but really, there’s no need to panic; even if you want to demonstrate with us,” he laughed.
Fellow club promoter Ed Parissi was equally non-plussed, telling Skrufff “the biggest police station in Paris is in front of Notre Dame, so there’s definitely no problem there.”
“And the students are almost always very peaceful and cool when they are striking,” he added, “You tourists can safely meet young students if you like; the weed is good and the vibe very funny,” he advised.
“The riots always happen at the end of the marches, when it becomes darker. And the rioters aren’t students either but just stupid assholes with scarves on the face; they are the same people who did these things last November, and they’re there to rob shops and car radios.”
Both America’s State Department and Britain’s Foreign Office’s alerts explained that young people are protesting against changes in the country’s employment laws, which will allow employers to sack people under 26 without notice, and warned that night time is particularly dangerous.
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