Louvre Museum Shuts Down as Workers Protest Increase of Pickpockets
French police patrol next to the Pyramid in the Louvre museum in Paris April 11, 2013 a day after a one-day closure of the Louvre, as guards protested that pickpockets were rampant at the world’s most visited museum. Two hundred museum guards exercised their right to a work stoppage, forcing the museum to shut its doors for the day, union representatives said. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann (FRANCE – Tags: CRIME LAW SOCIETY) – RTXYHED
The Louvre in Paris is one of the largest museums in Europe – and the world.
25,000 to 30,000 people visit the place each day this time of year.
So you’d think they have security under control.
Well, apparently not.
200 staff members walked out for the day there, essentially shutting the museum down.
They were protesting against having to put up with pickpockets who’ve been targeting staff and tourists at the museum.
Maia de la Baume is a reporter for the New York Times in Paris.
She says pickpockets have long plagued the museum, but their attacks have been increasing lately.
The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?