Editing Nantes (section)

===Postwar===

The postwar years were a period of strikes and protests in Nantes. A strike organised by the city's 17,500 metallurgists during the summer of 1955 to protest salary disparities between [[Paris]] and the rest of France deeply impacted the French political scene, and their action was echoed in other cities.{{sfn|Pétré-Grenouilleau|2008|p=238}} Nantes saw other large strikes and demonstrations during the [[May 68|May 1968 events]], when marches drew about 20,000 people into the streets.{{sfn|Mai 68}} The [[1973–1975 recession|1970s global recession]] brought a large wave of [[deindustrialisation]] to France, and Nantes saw the closure of many factories and the city's shipyards.{{sfn|Pétré-Grenouilleau|2008|p=250}} The 1970s and 1980s were primarily a period of economic stagnation for Nantes. During the 1980s and 1990s its economy became service-oriented and it experienced economic growth under [[Jean-Marc Ayrault]], the city's mayor from 1989 to 2012. Under Ayrault's administration, Nantes used its quality of life to attract service firms. The city developed a rich cultural life, advertising itself as a creative place near the ocean. Institutions and facilities (such as its airport) were re-branded as "Nantes Atlantique" to highlight this proximity. Local authorities have commemorated the legacy of the slave trade, promoting dialogue with other cultures.{{sfn|Pétré-Grenouilleau|2008|pp=271–277}}

Nantes has been noted in recent years for its climate of social unrest, marked by frequent and often violent clashes between protesters and police. Tear gas is frequently deployed during protests.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 September 2018 |title=Une violence récurrente: enquête sur les manifestations à Nantes |url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/pays-de-la-loire/loire-atlantique/nantes/violence-recurrente-enquete-manifestations-nantes-1535732.html |publisher=France Info |language=fr}}</ref> The city has a significant [[Far-left politics|ultra-left]] radical scene, owing in part to the proximity of the [[ZAD de Notre-Dame-des-Landes]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 February 2014 |title=A Nantes, le centre-ville saccagé par l'ultra-gauche|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/archives/a-nantes-le-centre-ville-saccage-par-l-ultra-gauche-23-02-2014-3616799.php |website=Le Parisien |language=fr}}</ref> Masked rioters have repeatedly ransacked shops, offices and public transport infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 January 2022 |title=Nantes: une manifestation "antifa" dérape, les réactions pleuvent et une polémique enfle |url=https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/faits-divers-justice/nantes-une-manifestation-antifascisme-et-liberte-derape-les-reactions-politiques-pleuvent-1642850244 |publisher=France Bleu |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 September 2019 |title=Nantes, une ville blessée dans l'étau de la contestation |url=https://www.letemps.ch/monde/nantes-une-ville-blessee-letau-contestation |newspaper=Le Temps |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 December 2019 |title=Nantes: Le centre-ville se réveille groggy après les violences de Samedi |url=https://www.20minutes.fr/nantes/2669751-20191208-nantes-centre-ville-reveille-groggy-apres-violences-samedi |website=20 Minutes |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2019 |title=Nantes: Il y a une "montée en puissance" de la violence", reconnait un policier |url=https://www.rtl.fr/actu/justice-faits-divers/nantes-il-y-a-une-montee-en-puissance-de-la-violence-reconnait-un-policier-7797483548 |publisher=RTL |language=fr}}</ref> The [[:fr: Affaire Steve Maia Caniço|death of Steve Maia Caniço]] in June 2019 has led to accusations of police brutality and cover-ups.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 August 2019 |title=Steve Maia Caniço rally: French police clashes erupt in Nantes |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49221066 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>