1.   Both have criticized what they allege is manipulation of the jobless activists by the rival Communist-backed General Workers Confederation, the CGT.

2.   French jobless activists marched through Paris and other cities Tuesday in their latest protests to demand greater financial help from the government.

3.   Hoping to build on growing support for their fight, jobless activists were to march through the capital and other cities Wednesday afternoon.

4.   Jobless activists have occupied city halls, unemployment agencies, welfare offices and blocked train tracks in their campaign since early December to press for more aid.

5.   Jobless activists reacted negatively and said their protests would continue.

6.   Some grass-roots jobless activists said they would nonetheless continue their protests, and called for a day of national demonstrations for next week.