(Image source: Wikimedia Commons) BY JAMAL ANDRESS
The Louvre museum, arguably the most popular art museum in the world, is closed,
and there’s no definite date on when it will re-open.
"The Louvre museum was shut on Wednesday after 200 guards and surveillance agents went
on strike to protest the growing number of often-violent pickpockets who prey on both
them and the tourists." (Via New York Times) Museum officials didn’t release any pick
pocketing statistics but did say in a statement it was a growing problem. So much so there’s
a sign at the door warning visitors about the thieves.
The Guardian reports the Louvre filed an official complaint to the state prosecutor
late last year, which lead to increased co-operation with the police and temporary bans on people
already identified as pickpockets. Despite these provisions, the problems
have continued in 2013 and have apparently gotten worse. Packs of as many as 30 pickpockets
have preyed on the area at once, and have sometimes become violent.
Slate quotes the organizer of the strike who said workers have been subject to, "...spitting,
insults, threats and being struck..." by the pickpockets.
Whether the strike has a just cause or not, angry visitors are to be expected and
there were plenty at the Louvre’s front door.
“We’re very disappointed...” “The one thing they wanted to do was see
the Mona Lisa so we’re disappointed.” (Via France24)
The Louvre museum received a staggering 10 million visitors last year and during this
time of year historically averages about 30,000 visitors per day.