Protest, not Camp-Out, at Place Bellecour / Not Your Average Brand of French Activism

While the salaried workers go on strike, a different bunch of people are protesting the plight of the sans-abri, or homeless, by staging a sit-in (or is it camp-in?) at Place Bellecour, on the end opposite the giant ferris wheel and skating rink.

Calling themselves the "Children of Don Quixote," the group has set up tents manned by volunteers despite the 40 degrees Farenheit (5 degrees Celsius) weather outside. Food and blankets are brought in by volunteers, and evidently to defend the tents against hooligans or gangs people stand guard outside in shifts.

I can't say that the movement itself is supported by a lot of French, but it's certainly a visible protest, meant to stick in people's eyes to remind them of the problem of the homeless. In Paris, they've holed up near the picturesque St. Martin's canal. They've got people's attention for the moment, but how long can they keep this up?

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LINK

(in French)

http://www.lesenfantsdedonquichotte.com/