There are days when the rain doesn’t put out the fire. Like in Douarnenez. This Saturday, January 4, the downpours that fell on the city with three ports did not dissipate the fervor of the demonstrators who came to commemorate the centenary of the sardine strike. In total, just over 200 people participated in the major feminist demonstration organized by the Douarnenez Family Planning Department. With one objective: to remind people that the fight led by the sardine boats in 1924 continues today.
“Wage inequalities? There are always some!, assures Camille, activist at Planning. What woman today can say that she has not been the victim of discrimination in the world of work? Even today, in factories as elsewhere, there is a lot of progress to be made. »
A little more than 200 people took part in the feminist demonstration, from Place de l’Enfer to the port of Rosmeur. (The Telegram/Laura Ayad)
Persistent professional inequalities
For Monique Prévost, former mayor of Douarnenez and historic activist for Family Planning, the victorious sardine strike must serve as an example: “How, when they started out as losers, did they win their case? Thanks to solidarity, explains the Douarneniste. All along, they knew how to do things together: with the sailors, the peasants, those who did not speak Breton… It is essential to maintain this cohesion if we wish to win new battles. »
Members of the musical and protest collective Rythms of Resistance traveled from Rennes to participate in the rally. (The Telegram/Laura Ayad)
In front of a compact crowd gathered on the Place de l’Enfer, the former city councilor recalled some figures. Like the fact that three quarters of part-time jobs are held by women. Or that women earn on average a quarter less than men. Statistics which did not surprise the demonstrators, sometimes coming from far away to participate in the Douarneniste rally. “In National Education, even though there are many more women than men, positions of responsibility are largely occupied by men,” laments Anne, a professor, who traveled from Fougères. “Things may have evolved, but ultimately our demands are very similar to those of the sardine boats,” notes her friend Mathilde, who came from Paris.
Rennes, Nantes, Fougères, Paris… Many demonstrators came from far away to participate in the demonstration. (The Telegram/Laura Ayad)The Murga of Douarnenez animated the event with its dances and percussion. (The Telegram/Laura Ayad)
“We must take inspiration from sardine boats”
In addition to feminist and anti-capitalist slogans, the demonstration was punctuated by music. That of the Murga de Douarnenez, a group of dancers and percussionists who opened the march. But also that of the percussion of the musical and protest collective Rythms of Resistance, who beat time throughout the march. An ardent and joyful atmosphere which somewhat made us forget the rain. “We came from Nantes especially for this. We weren’t going to go back because of the weather! », says Mel, who traveled to Douarnenez with her sister and father. “Personally, I admire sardine boats a lot. Forty days of strike, it’s a great fight… We must take inspiration from it. And keep your energy up, because the list of things women have to fight for is still long. »
