Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers are occupying an iconic theater on Paris’ Left Bank to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their incomes and put their livelihoods on indefinite hold.
With sleeping bags and food, they've set up inside the ornate lobby and velveted balconies of the 19th century Odeon Theater for as long as it takes to call attention to their demands.
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Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers are occupying an iconic theater on Paris’ Left Bank to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their incomes and put their livelihoods on indefinite hold.
Among their demands is another year of special government aid for seasonal theater workers, who often struggle to make ends meet but have been particularly crippled since the virus hit. French theaters, cinemas, museums and tourist sites have been closed for much of the past year as part of government virus protection measures, and no reopening plans have been announced.
An out-of-work French culture and tourism worker opens a door inside the iconic Odeon theater, Friday, March 5, 2021 in Paris. Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers have occupied the theater on Paris' Left Bank to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their livelihoods. At right with union flags is a statue of French17th century dramatist Jean Racine. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)
Police officers control the entrance of the occupied iconic Odeon theater, Friday, March 5, 2021 in Paris. Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers have occupied the theater on Paris' Left Bank to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their livelihoods. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)
Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers display a banner reading " Culture Sacrificed" as they occupy the iconic Odeon theater, Friday, March 5, 2021 in Paris. Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers have occupied the theater on Paris' Left Bank to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their livelihoods. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)
About 50 people occupied the theater starting Thursday and unfurled union banners from atop its columned facade reading “Culture Sacrificed” and “Six unemployed workers out of 10 not compensated – Scandal!”
Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers occupy the iconic Odeon theater, Friday, March 5, 2021 in Paris. Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers have occupied the theater on Paris' Left Bank to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their livelihoods. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)
Among their demands is another year of special government aid for seasonal theater workers, who often struggle to make ends meet but have been particularly crippled since the virus hit. French theaters, cinemas, museums and tourist sites have been closed for much of the past year as part of government virus protection measures, and no reopening plans have been announced.
Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers sit inside the iconic Odeon theater, Friday, March 5, 2021 in Paris. Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers have occupied the theater on Paris' Left Bank to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their livelihoods. At center is a statue of French 17th century tragedian Pierre Corneille. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)
An out-of-work French culture and tourism worker opens a door inside the iconic Odeon theater, Friday, March 5, 2021 in Paris. Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers have occupied the theater on Paris' Left Bank to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their livelihoods. At right with union flags is a statue of French17th century dramatist Jean Racine. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)
Police officers control the entrance of the occupied iconic Odeon theater, Friday, March 5, 2021 in Paris. Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers have occupied the theater on Paris' Left Bank to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their livelihoods. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)
Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers display a banner reading " Culture Sacrificed" as they occupy the iconic Odeon theater, Friday, March 5, 2021 in Paris. Out-of-work French culture and tourism workers have occupied the theater on Paris' Left Bank to demand more government support after a year of pandemic that has devastated their livelihoods. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)