Bloquons tout
 | This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: add coverage of the Sept 10 protest which has now taken place. (September 2025) |
 | |
| Date | 10 September 2025 (planned) |
|---|---|
| Location | France |
| Cause | Opposition to the Bayrou government's proposed 2026 national budget and austerity measures. |
| Participants | Grassroots movement, supporters of La France Insoumise |
Bloquons tout (English: "Block everything" or Let's block everything[1]) is a protest movement in France that emerged on social media in mid-2025. The movement called for a general strike and nationwide shutdown on 10 September 2025, to oppose the austerity measures proposed by the government of Prime Minister François Bayrou.[2]
Background
[edit]The movement arose in response to the Bayrou government's proposed 2026 budget (disclosed on July 15), which aimed to cut €43.8 billion from public spending. The budget included controversial measures such as the removal of two national holidays, a freeze on pensions, and significant cuts to healthcare.[2] The slogan "Boycott, disobedience and solidarity" (Boycott, désobéissance et solidarité) began circulating on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Telegram, and Facebook, coalescing around the hashtags #10septembre2025 and #10septembre.[2]
Commentators have noted both similarities and differences between Bloquons tout and the earlier Yellow Vests movement. While both are grassroots movements that originated on social media, a study by sociologist Antoine Bristielle found that Bloquons tout supporters are generally younger, more aligned with the political left, and more focused on collective interests and environmental concerns.[3] The two dozen organizers of the movement, called Les Essentiels (the Essentials)[1] had described themselves as "apolitical" and unconnected to the trade unions.[4]
Actions
[edit]The movement's core goal was a total shutdown of the country on 10 September 2025. Supporters were encouraged to avoid work, shopping at large retailers, keep children at home and engage in “peaceful occupation of symbolic locations”.[2][4]
Reactions
[edit]The Bloquons tout movement has drawn support from various left-wing political figures, including Jean-Luc Mélenchon of La France Insoumise.[2] However, major trade unions were initially hesitant to officially endorse the 10 September action, although they shared many of the movement's concerns about the proposed budget.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Conradi 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Gabel & York 2025.
- ^ Bristielle 2025.
- ^ a b Bertrand 2025.
Sources
[edit]- Bertrand, Solenne (22 July 2025). ""Un arrêt total et illimité du pays": c'est quoi ce mouvement qui appelle à bloquer la France "à partir du 10 septembre"?" ["A total and unlimited shutdown of the country": what is this movement calling for the blocking of France "from September 10"?]. Le Parisien (in French).
- Bristielle, Antoine (1 September 2025). "«Bloquons tout»: tentative de portrait-robot d'un mouvement nébuleux" ["Let's block everything": an attempt at a composite sketch of a nebulous movement]. Fondation Jean-Jaurès (in French).
- Conradi, Peter (6 September 2025). "Let's block everything: protesters plan to 'pull the brake' on France". The Sunday Times.
- Gabel, Barbara; York, Joanna (3 September 2025). "'Block everything': What we know about the movement to shut down France on September 10". France 24.