Anti-Uber French taxi drivers
French taxi drivers smashed cars, set tires ablaze and blocked traffic across the country on June 25, 2015 in a nationwide strike aimed at Uber after weeks of rising, sometimes violent tensions over the U.S. ride-hailing company's booking service, known in France as UberPOP. The angry taxi drivers say Uber's lowest cost service is taking their livelihood away.
French taxi drivers stepped up protests against U.S. online cab service UberPOP, blocking road access to airports and train stations in Paris and other cities.
Here, smoke rises from a fire, as a French riot police officer keeps watch next to an overturned car during protests by taxi drivers at Porte Maillot in Paris, June 25, 2015.
France Uber strike
The sign on the wall reads "Death to Uber."
French riot police secure the Porte Maillot during a demonstration by French taxi drivers, who are on strike, during a national protest against car-sharing service Uber, in Paris on June 25, 2015.
Access to three terminals at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and in a number of areas of Paris, especially Porte Maillot, were blocked.
France Uber strike
Taxis gather at a major Paris traffic artery, Thursday, June 25, 2015.
French taxis are on strike around the country, snarling traffic in major cities and slowing access to Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport after weeks of rising and sometimes violent tensions over Uber.
UberPOP, the popular taxi app, is facing fierce opposition from traditional cab drivers.
France Uber strike
During a strike by French taxi drivers on Thursday, June 25, 2015, travelers going to and from the airport walked alongside highways with their bags or got caught in ambushes, like U.S. singer Courtney Love, who was rescued by two men on a motorcycle.
"They've ambushed our car and are holding our driver hostage," Love tweeted. "They're beating the cars with metal bats. this is France- I'm safer in Baghdad."
Here, a man looks at an overturned car, allegedly used by an UberPOP driver, at Porte Maillot in Paris on June 25, 2015, as taxi drivers demonstrated nearby.
France Uber strike
Riot policemen deploy through the Porte Maillot traffic roundabout, with The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, as taxi drivers stage a demonstration/blockade, June 25, 2015.
France Uber strike
French taxi drivers burn tires during a protest in the southern city of Marseille as they demonstrate against UberPOP, June 25, 2015.
France Uber strike
Riot police stand by an overthrown car during a taxi drivers demonstration, in Paris, Thursday, June 25, 2015.
France Uber strike
French riot police stand in front of the Tour Oxygene as taxi drivers take part in a protest against car-sharing service Uber in Lyon, France, June 25, 2015. French taxi drivers stepped up protests against U.S. online cab service UberPOP, blocking road access to airports and train stations in Paris and other cities.
France Uber strike
A taxi driver waves a French flag inscribed with the words "Uber, here it's France" during a demonstration in Paris, June 25, 2015.
France Uber strike
A taxi with a banner that reads, "Uber get out" is seen during a protest in the southern city of Marseille as taxi drivers demonstrate against UberPOP, June 25, 2015.
France Uber strike
French taxi drivers, who are on strike, block traffic on the city ring road during a national protest against car-sharing service Uber in Paris, June 25, 2015.
France Uber strike
French riot police stand next to an overturned car as striking French taxi drivers demonstrate at the Porte Maillot, blocking traffic on the Paris ring road during a national protest against car-sharing service Uber in France, June 25, 2015.
France Uber strike
Taxi drivers on strike burn tires during a national protest against car-sharing service Uber in Marseille, France, June 25, 2015.
France Uber strike
The inscription "Death to Uber" is tagged onto a wall at the Porte Maillot traffic roundabout in Paris, as taxi drivers stage a demonstration/blockade, June 25, 2015.
France Uber strike
An overturned car is seen in the distance as French taxi drivers demonstrate at Porte Maillot to block traffic on the city ring road during a national protest against car-sharing service Uber, in Paris, June 25, 2015. French taxi drivers stepped up protests against U.S. online cab service UberPOP on Thursday, blocking road access to airports and train stations in Paris and other cities.
France Uber strike
Passengers drag their suitcases as they make their way towards Orly airport as striking taxi drivers block access roads south of Paris during a national protest against car-sharing service Uber, June 25, 2015.