Despite the prefectural ban, which was eventually lifted, the sound of pots echoed throughout Emmanuel Macron’s trip, in Vendome, in Loir-et-Cher, Tuesday 25 April. This was already the case in the Ganges on Friday April 21st. These movements aim to protest against the Head of State’s policies and against the pension reform, which was adopted without a vote under Article 49.3 of the Constitution.

At the origin of these assemblies we find chiefly the association Attac. Its full name is Association for the Taxation of Financial Transactions and Citizens’ Initiatives. This anti-globalization association was founded in France in 1998 for “Reclaim the future of our world together“. Now it is present in 35 countries. It also fights for the ecological transition, gender equality and against racism. Specialized in hard-hitting actions, very medial, for example against LVMH, McDonald or Bourget airport.

>>> Toulouse, Rennes, Paris… During Emmanuel Macron’s speech, “pot concerts” were organized in several cities

Attac is often supported by other collectives, unions or parties to the left of the left. On Monday April 24, on the anniversary of Emmanuel Macron’s election victory, the Solidaires union, La France insoumise, Europe-Ecologie Les-Verts and the New Anti-Capitalist Party also called for action.

Preplanned casseroles

attack uploaded an interactive map with all the dates and places of the next trips of the President, Ministers and certain deputies of the majority. A card called “We won’t let her go“.
Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau expects it for his trip on Friday to the livestock show in Gap, the same for the Minister for Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu, on the same day in Vesoul, but also for the Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, in the North on April 5.

>>> Politics: Cooking pot concert on every ministerial trip

Why knock on pans?

Hitting pots is a very old practice, dating back to the Middle Ages. This is referred to as “charivari”. Initially nothing to do with politics: it was a humiliation ritual for unequal couples. They were received in the villages with pot concerts.

The practice became political in France in 1830. Opponents of the July Monarchy attacked personalities with cooking pots, rattles and whistles. Since then, cooking pots have gone around the world. There were some in Canada, in Chile, in Argentina. They were also used in the last century by those who wanted to keep Algeria French. Pans are handy for making your displeasure heard. Everyone has them at home and they make a lot of noise. And at the same time, this movement can take on a symbolic meaning. A member of the Solidaires union estimated on Monday that these kitchen tools would go to all “Pans” the government.