France: Protesters Storm Blackrock Office in Paris

French protesters took over a BlackRock office in Paris on Thursday. Protests against French President Emmanuel Macron started in March when the government of France proposed to raise the retirement age. BlackRock is one of the largest retirement asset firms in the world. BlackRock has close ties with the Chinese Communist Party.

Hundreds of protesters carrying flares, waving flags, and screaming chants stormed BlackRock’s Paris office location. Protesters occupied the building for around half an hour before dispersing.

🔴 Les cheminots envahissent la multinationale #BlackRock contre la réforme des retraites. #greve6avril pic.twitter.com/L4wxsR025E

— Clément Lanot (@ClementLanot) April 6, 2023

Protester Jerome Schmitt, who participated in the Paris BlackRock protest, told French station BFM-TV, “The meaning of this action is quite simple. We went to the headquarters of BlackRock to tell them: the money of workers, for our pensions, they are taking it.”

Another protester told Reuters, “The union action in the historical Centorial building near Paris’ Grand Boulevards area, targeted BlackRock because of its private pension fund activity.”

Following the BlackRock protest, French President Emmanuel Macron activated over 11 thousand riot police across France. Smoke and fire can still be seen across Paris as protesters and riot police continued to clash in the streets of Paris after BlackRock’s storming.

#Paris, affrontements en cours au niveau de la place Denfert-Rochereau, les CRS reculent. #manif6avril #greve6avril #manifestation #Reformesdesretraites #France #ReformeDesRetraites pic.twitter.com/Ck2lEQ6rPx

— Jules Ravel (@JulesRavel1) April 6, 2023

BlackRock has exceptionally close ties with the Chinese Communist Party. BlackRock Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink has repeatedly bragged about BlackRock’s ability to do business with the CCP saying, “We are honored to be in a position in which we can support more Chinese investors access financial markets.” BlackRock is also listed as a partner on the World Economic Forum’s website.

Interestingly on Wednesday night, Frech President Emmanuel Macron tweeted, “I am convinced that China has a major role to play in building peace. This is what I have come to discuss, to move forward on. With President XI Jinping, we will also talk about our businesses, the climate and biodiversity, and food security.”

I am convinced that China has a major role to play in building peace. This is what I have come to discuss, to move forward on. With President XI Jinping, we will also talk about our businesses, the climate and biodiversity, and food security.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 6, 2023

BlackRock has not commented on today’s events in Parris.