A protest by French taxi drivers turned violent in Paris on Thursday as hundreds of drivers blocked access to major roadways and airports. The demonstration was against the spread of Uber in the city and was part of a planned, nationwide protest against the popular app, specifically against the lowest cost "UberPOP" service.
Drivers burned tires and blocked access to the city's Charles de Gaulle airport and flipped cars on city streets.
Some passengers walked along the side of the highway in order to reach the airport for flights, according to local reports. Nearby Orly airport was also targeted by cabs attempting to block traffic.
Paris . No Comment pic.twitter.com/81fIIoGYcc— La Gazette du Taxi (@LaGazetteduTaxi) June 25, 2015
During the protest, cabbies hung effigies of Uber drivers, flipped cars, and burned tires on the streets. Riot police were out in full force
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve called on Paris police to prohibit UberPop drivers from continuing to work, but called on protesters to remain calm.
French taxi drivers pay up to 240,000 euros for their licenses, and are furious over the rise of the ride share app that allows private drivers to cut in on their revenue.
Hundreds of cars blocked the major highway surrounding the city, called the peripherique, and protests were planned in other cities across the country.
Courtney Love was live tweeting scenes from the protest after her car got caught up in the mob. Photos showed eggs splattered on her car window. Love claims she was stopped for over an hour by protesters, but was finally able to continue on thanks to the help of two men on motorcycles.
Dude @kanyewest we may turn back to the airport and hide out with u.picketers just attacked our car #ParisUberStrike pic.twitter.com/MtanurybOO— Courtney Love Cobain (@Courtney) June 25, 2015
Love had some choice words for French President Francois Hollande, and posted "love French people but your government blows."
we got out after being held hostage for an hour thanks to these two guys. I'm scared out of my wits. Mr. François Hollande president or libertine? I can't believe this really just happened. love French people but your government blows #happytobealive #parisuberstrike wtf?? A photo posted by Courtney Love Cobain (@courtneylove) on Jun 25, 2015 at 5:51am PDT
Though France has repeatedly ruled to outlaw Uber's lowest-cost UberPOP service, drivers continue to work on French roads. Uber's more expensive livery service is still legal in the country.
The government says nearly 500 legal cases involving complaints about UberPOP have been filed across France. Officials reiterated concerns about safety of passengers, insisting they are not protected in case of an accident by an UberPOP driver.
Taxi drivers started throwing eggs at a passing cab who wouldn't join their protest. pic.twitter.com/aY03Vqc8kt— The Local France (@TheLocalFrance) June 25, 2015
Some local taxi drivers who chose not to take part in the protest were also reportedly targeted by those involved in the demonstration.
Some information from the Associated Press.