A timid return. Some 4,700 people mobilized on Saturday in France at the call of “Yellow Vests”, including 2,000 in Paris, to denounce the policy of Emmanuel Macron, the future pension reform, inflation or even to ask for an overhaul of the institutions, according to figures from the Ministry of the Interior. The organizers estimate the participation more important, but without communicating precise figures.
In Aisne, in Laon, the yellow vests were called to return to the roundabouts occupied four years ago during an unprecedented protest movement in France. But, as reported by L’Union, only one demonstrator, fluorescent vest on his back, showed up for the meeting. Throughout France, while this Saturday was to mark the return of the yellow vests, the mobilization was discreet, even disappointing for the organizers.
In Paris, a few hundred (2,000 according to the Interior) joined Place Breteuil (6th arrondissement) instead of the Pacific Battalion (10th arrondissement). LFI deputies Antoine Léaument and Thomas Portes were notably part of the procession. The demonstration, which had been relayed on social networks, crossed the south of Paris to the rhythm of anti-Macron songs but without the violence or clashes between demonstrators and the police which punctuated the “Yellow Vests” movement initially launched in November 2018 against the increase in fuel taxes and which has since largely withered.
Other gatherings were organized in France. The Ministry of the Interior counted 2,700 participants for 58 listed actions. In Toulouse (Haute-Garonne), yet a hotbed of protest four years ago, they were between 70 (according to the authorities) and a hundred (according to the organizers) to have met in order to demonstrate, reports La Dépêche. “We are not here to wreak havoc, simply to express frustration, hoping to finally be heard by the great thinkers,” testified a protester to the newspaper. In Montpellier, according to Midi Libre, they were not much more, around 150.
200 in Strasbourg, 150 in Mulhouse
“Today, the return is going to be smashing, I hope people will wake up for the good of everyone! Another demonstrator got carried away with France 3, in Strasbourg this time. In the capital of Bas-Rhin, according to the television channel, they were 200 to have met. Not far from there, in Mulhouse (Haut-Rhin), around 150 demonstrators were counted.
Four years after the first demonstrations of the Yellow Vests, the protesters wanted to be heard again, while inflation is now reaching record highs. “All we want is for activists to take to the streets in as many numbers as at the beginning of the movement and for them to be joined by all those who want to defend their rights”, testified recently in Le Parisien Titouan Bisson, active member of L’appel au peuple.