Labor Protests in Paris Force ESPN to Shut Down Euro 2016 Studio

Protests in opposition to planned changes in French labor law that would make it easier to hire and fire employees erupted in violence, resulting in 26 injuries—including 20 police officers—and a virtual shut down of Paris. Thousands of protestors took to the streets and clashed with police, who are already spread thin due to security concerns related to Euro 2016 and the threat of further terrorist attacks in the wake of the attacks in Paris last November.

Gangs of masked youths smashed windows and hurled stones at riot police as thousands of people marched through Paris on Tuesday in protest at a planned change of labor laws that would make hiring and firing easier.

Police fired dozens of volleys of teargas and used water cannon to disperse highly mobile groups of mostly black-clad youths. The police department reported 13 arrests in the early stages of a street march led by labor unions.

The violence shut down several areas of the city, including the location of ESPN's studio for Euro 2016 coverage. As a result, ESPN was forced to shut down its operation in the city, and broadcast a halftime show from its Bristol headquarters following the first half of Austria-Hungary at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux.

Labor protests in #Paris has forced ESPN to abandon its studios for #EURO2016 coverage.
— Ahmed Zidan (@zidanism) June 14, 2016

ESPN unable to do its halftime show of Austria vs. Hungary from Paris studio. As labor protests bring city to a halt. #Euro2016
— Samuel Charles (@SoccerIsArt) June 14, 2016

This is not the first issue ESPN has had with set locations for its Euro coverage. Prior to the start of the tournament, ESPN was also forced to abandon its planned outdoor set due to severe flooding along the River Seine.

[ESPN]