As the World Gears Up for Paris Olympics, Locals Rise in Resistance

The 2024 Paris Olympics is the talk of the globe right now. The host city is raging with preparations to stage the biggest sporting event in the world. The Paris Olympics will also see the input of industry giants like the LVMH group. However, not everyone is happy with the way things are proceeding. The Paris police have asked the bookstall owners dotting the Seine River area to vacate the place because they will use the area will be used for the opening ceremony.

This demand raised by the police, however, hasn’t gone down well with the stall owners. They have voiced their concerns and are against the decision. The bookstall owners argue that the Olympics are an event to display the heritage of Paris. However, this move directly attacks an essential symbol of the city’s culture.

Security concerns regarding the Olympics

According to HuffPost, Officials responsible for holding the Olympics wish to conduct an opening ceremony in the city. This represents an unconventional move because the opening ceremonies are usually held at stadiums. The Seine River area comes within the boundary of the opening ceremony grounds. This area must be heavily guarded, as important people and the world’s greatest Olympians will be present there. To facilitate the security of the site, the police have asked the stall owners to move. The stall owners, however, have protested against this.

The stall owners argue that their book stalls are also famous across the globe. They say that a large section of people come to see them, just like the Eiffel Tower. They argue that this is an attack on their importance as well as their livelihoods. Several stalls have stood at the place for decades, and moving them would damage them. The Olympics would invite a huge footfall, and moving to another location would also result in a direct loss of income.

Our benefit hasn’t been considered: Stall owners

The police have designated a separate area for the bookstalls. The new designated spot near the Seine area, called the ‘bookseller village,’ doesn’t satisfy the President of the Bookseller Organization, Callis. He mentioned that Bastille Square would be very ill-frequented. This is especially true if one factors the Olympics into the equation. The police, however, have said that all the necessary arrangements will be made. They also noted that all damages incurred while moving will be paid for. 

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The bookstall owners also said that no clear instructions had been given to them. They have not been told when they can move back in. In fact, it isn’t clear yet if they will have to stay away from the Seine for the entire duration of the Paris Olympics. Callis also said that the move is not feasible, and no other compensation has been announced for them.

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