RIOT IN MARSEILLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26618, 14 November 1947, Page 5

RIOT IN MARSEILLES

UNIONISTS’ DEMONSTRATION MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS ATTACKED Rec. 9 p.m. PARIS, Nov. 12. Waterfront workers in Marseilles walked off the job, dislocating the port, after a day of rioting, in which 2000 trade unionists stormed the Marseilles Law Court, where four unionists were charged with attacking the police during demonstrations against increased train fares. Mobs pummelled the Mayor, injured several of the city councillors, smashed windows in the Palace of Justice, and wrecked furniture in the prosecutor’s office in search of three prisoners, who were given 10-day suspended prison sentences and held for further investigation. The Communist Party in Marseilles issued a communique protesting against the “ scandalous provocation of the Ramadier Government, the general secretary of ' police, and the new Mayor of Marseilles.” Sixteen were injured in a fight in the Marseilles Council Chamber, including the Mayor. M. Carlini. two de Gaullist and six Communist councillors. The demonstrators hauled down the British and American flags from the Town Hall, where they had been flown for Armistice Day celebrations; then broke into several night clubs, shouting: “Here are the haunts of the French people’s rally. Hang de Gaulle!” Some night clubs were wrecked.