Today is International Workers’ Day in many countries around the world including France.  Originally created as an international strikers’ day as part of the labor movement in commemoration of the fight for the eight-hour work day, it is a legal working holiday or day off for most people in the countries that celebrate it.  In Paris alone, there were over 65,000 strikers in the streets today according to police.  The French labor unions, however, estimate that the figure was around 160,000.  These are the highest figures for May 1st demonstrations in recent history.  They shouted out against French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s handling of the economic crisis, the crisis itself and management.  The path was very long as it stretched all the way from southern Paris at Denfert Rochereau to Bastille.    Ségolène Royal, the former candidate for the French Presidency, declared that the 1st of May is the time to “se battre pour que tout le monde ait du travail” (“to fight so that everyone has a job”).

Here are some slogans that were seen today on the signs being carried.  See if you can match them up with their English translations.

1. La crise, c’est eux; la solution c’est nous!
2. Sarko nous l’a promis, Sarko nous a menti!
3. On ne paiera pas pour les banquiers!
4. Sarko, rappelle-toi de 1789!
5. Liberté, Egalité, Révolte!

A. Sarkozy, remember 1789!
B. Freedom, Equality, Revolt!
C. They are the crisis, we are the solution!
D. Sarkozy promised us, Sarkozy lied to us!
E. We will not pay for the bankers!  

You can see photos of the strikes by clicking here.