5,000 Parisians Find No Free Cash
Eiffel Tower Crowd Protests After Web Site Cancels Free-Money Giveaway Stunt, 10 Arrested
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People gather near the Eiffel Tower Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, awaiting a handout of tens of thousands of euros promised by French marketing company. When the size of the crowd forced the company to cancel the promotional stunt, some in the crowd grew unruly. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
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People stand near an overturned car in Paris. Some in the crowd were angry about the cancellation of the promotional stunt promising thousands of euros. Projectiles were thrown at police, who arrested ten people. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
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A person kicks someone as an unruly crowd protested the cancellation of a promotionl giveaway of thousands of euros, near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Nov. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
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Interactive The Eiffel Tower Here's a look at the famous monument and the city and country in which it stands.
A large, unruly crowd has forced an Internet site to cancel a promotional stunt to hand out tens of thousands of euros in cash in Paris.
The French Internet company Mailorama.fr had planned to throw envelopes of cash to passers-by from a bus stop near the Eiffel Tower.
About 5,000 people gathered on the Champs de Mars Saturday to await the handout, blocking traffic and leading to security fears.
Police say officers and Mailorama decided jointly to call off the stunt.
Stephane Boukris, head of marketing for Mailorama, said, "We wanted to ensure the safety of our staff and this is why the event was cancelled. We weren't up to dealing with all of this."
The organizers had planned a dozen security guards from a private company. Metal barriers installed were crossed by the crowd.
Some in the crowd were apparently angry about the cancellation, overturning a car and throwing projectiles at police. Ten people were arrested.
"I was first. I spent all night outside!" one crowdmember told reporters.
"We're looking for the bus, we're looking for the bus," another exclaimed.
But the bus (and its euros) was nowhere to be seen.
© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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- You mean there are other countries where people want something for nothing.
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- actually this will happen at time square tomorrow at noon eastern time,50,000$ given away
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- This was all a publicity scam. I doubt there ever was any busload of euros.
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- They got exactly what most people get who are waiting for something by doing nothing.
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- Your metaphor will not translate to our world (USA). Both the ruling elite, and the under class masses they pander to, will receive "something for nothing"... our tax dollars.
Of course, the 2% ruling elite will take most of it, and make promises to the illegals and welfare folk.
The bright side?... the riots will be fun!
- Your metaphor will not translate to our world (USA). Both the ruling elite, and the under class masses they pander to, will receive "something for nothing"... our tax dollars.
- This internet company is doomed to failure.
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- I guess they got their publicity. This is pretty low behavior, I hope their company is boycotted.
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- How many did they think would show up.... the stinkers!
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