Fondation Louis Vuitton

**On May 1 an estimated 1 million protesters are out in France, including Extinction Rebellion environmental activists targeting Fondation Louis Vuitton.**
Members of the group also read out a statement lampooning LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault and the French government in front of a banner emblazoned with "Merci patron" (or "thanks boss," in French). Slogans of "tax the rich" could also be seen spraypainted on walls and the pavement of the museum.

Extinction Rebellion France attacked the Fondation Louis Vuitton as a “a cultural and philanthropic and most of all fiscal tool" of the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton group.

Defending their protest, the organization pointed to the failure of major corporations to take action on climate change, writing:

"That's why we demand that corporations take their responsibilities and act in the fight against global warming, and that the government put in place the Citizen Convention for Climate which proposed among other things the impact of greenhouse gas emissions of companies, reinforcing their obligations in the face of environmental demands and condition their financing to green criteria.”

The organization pointed out that current emission levels of companies listed on the CAC40 index would lead to a 3.5 degree Celsius increase in temperatures by 2100.

French Protesters Storm LVMH Paris Offices, Opposing Macron's Pension Reform AOC Daily

This new protest specifically against LVMH comes after recent protests over French President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform program to gradually raise France’s retirement age to 64. On April 13, protesters briefly entered LVMH headquarters and took the escalator to the executive management floor.

The protest was peaceful and many LVMH executives were not in the building.

LVMH Tops $500 Million Market Cap

LVMH, led by the Bernard Arnault family just became the first European company to top $500 billion in market cap. Arnault himself is currently pegged as the richest person in the world.

LVMH is trailing Tesla for the ninth spot among the world's most valued companies, as Monsieurs Arnault and Musk play ball for the most wealthy individual title.

Last week, the Fitch rating agency lowered France to ‘AA-’ over protests connected to the political deadlock around pension reform.

Image: © Philippe Guignard / Air Images / Fondation Louis Vuitton during May 2016 Daniel Buren ‘Observatory of Light’ show. via LVMH website