Demonstrations held against EU-US free-trade deal

In Rennes, Nantes, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Marseille, Lille and Paris, thousands of activists, in support of numerous organisations, including Attac, CGT, PCF, PG and EELV, gathered on Saturday in protest against the series of free-trade agreements between Europe and the United States which anticipate the introduction of a private enforcement mechanism which would allow multinationals to press charges against states. The day of protest took place across Europe, with over 300 events, of which 60 were in France, organised in 20 European countries. Their purpose? To raise citizens’ awareness of this huge transatlantic deal which is currently being negotiated in the utmost secrecy, even if, on Wednesday 8th October, after months of demonstrations, the representatives of Member States of the European Union decided to "declassify" the negotiating mandate, which had already been leaked. On Saturday, a large number of "Stop TAFTA, our future, your choice" petitions were signed.