Taxi drivers in France are blockading roads with burning tires in protest at the low-cost Uber app, resulting in at least 20 arrests. Air traffic controllers are also staging a demonstration, leading to dozens of canceled flights.
At least 20 arrests had already been made by 10 a.m. local time, following taxi driver protests around major cities including Paris and Marseille.
Drivers blocked roads with burning tires, prompting the arrival of riot police and firefighters. Some drivers had set pre-dawn bonfires which authorities had to put out.
Hundreds of taxis, joined by a few from Belgium and Spain, blocked a massive intersection leading into western Paris, causing huge disruption to the area.
Dozens of drivers tried to march from Porte Maillot intersection on to an eight-lane road, but police pushed the back with tear gas.
Drivers also staged ??go slows?? on roads, causing major traffic jams.
One taxi driver was injured when a shuttle bus at Orly Airport forced its way through a blockade. Other drivers then threw stones at the windows, forcing passengers to get off the bus and walk.
There were also blockades around Charles de Gaulle Airport.
The taxi drivers are protesting over working conditions and competition from non-traditional services such as Uber.
Uber drivers "vandalize professionals who are paying taxes, who respect the rules," Rachid Boudjema, president of the taxi drivers union in Marseille, told AP.
In response to the protests, Uber sent a message to its French customers which said that the goal of the demonstrations was ??to put pressure on the government to...limit competition.?
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20 arrested in French taxi driver, air traffic controller, teacher protests (PHOTOS, VIDEOS) ? RT News