France’s May Day, a traditional day of worker celebration and protest, often becomes a stage for social and political unrest. In 2018, the 50th anniversary of the May 1968 civil unrest, this tradition continued with a renewed fervor. A year into Emmanuel Macron’s presidency, various groups, from environmental activists protesting the Notre-Dame-des-Landes airport project to railway and hospital workers, took to the streets to voice their discontent.
The demonstrations were not limited to traditional labor unions. Air France pilots, judiciary workers, and far-left anarchist groups known as Black Blocs also participated, adding to the diversity and intensity of the protests. Magnum photographers Jerome Sessini, Patrick Zachmann, Lorenzo Meloni, and Enri Canaj documented the events, capturing the raw energy and emotion of the day. Their May Day Photos provide a visual record of the widespread discontent and the determination of the protesters.
The police chose a strategy of non-intervention, leading to significant property damage, particularly targeting businesses like McDonald’s, which was already facing global staff strikes over pay and working conditions. This hands-off approach resulted in over 100 arrests across Paris, a number significantly higher than in previous years, according to Paris police chief Michel Delpuech.
President Macron, then on a visit to Australia, responded to the events with a tweet condemning the violence and promising to hold those responsible accountable. His statement underscored the tension between the government and the protesting groups, further highlighting the significance of these May Day photos as historical documents.
The 2018 May Day protests in France were a powerful reminder of the country’s history of social activism and the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights and social justice. With more demonstrations planned, the month of May continued to be a period of heightened political activity in France. The May Day photos captured by photojournalists serve as a crucial visual testament to these events, documenting a pivotal moment in modern French history.
