Chants, Cops and Smoke France's Response to the EU

LIZ SAYS: As I sit here, I have to turn the TV up to drown out the sounds of the bull horned chants. The workers are plenty angry here about the EU austerity measures and they want Hollande to hear them in all their fury. It may look, to Americans, like a party with the big red balloons, but it is clear from the cherry bombs, smoke and cops, this ain't no party. 
I noticed the heightened security on the way to the hairdresser. Police vans in front of the Gallerie Lafayette, a large shopping complex that is often a stopping point for rallies and 'manifs'. I thought it was odd but, then I noticed more cops and vans on my route.
On the way home, the traffic grew terribly congested, then, there were police blocking the traffic to our block. 
A expected crowd of 100,000 people are protesting the EU austerity measures amid major layoffs in France.
The Paris Auto Show we visited a few days ago was, today, marred by protesters and tear gas. 
And, just like that, they were gone. I think Hollande is going to hear what they are saying.