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'Yellow vest' protesters defy government to gather in Paris France 'yellow vest' protesters defy government to gather
(35 minutes later)
"Yellow vest" protesters have gathered in Paris and other cities for a fifth consecutive Saturday of demonstrations."Yellow vest" protesters have gathered in Paris and other cities for a fifth consecutive Saturday of demonstrations.
About 69,000 police have been mobilised across France to prevent a repeat of the violence of previous weeks.About 69,000 police have been mobilised across France to prevent a repeat of the violence of previous weeks.
The movement, initially against a rise in fuel taxes, now addresses other issues, including education reforms.The movement, initially against a rise in fuel taxes, now addresses other issues, including education reforms.
Protesters defied a government call to suspend the action following Tuesday's attack on Strasbourg's Christmas market where a gunman killed four people.Protesters defied a government call to suspend the action following Tuesday's attack on Strasbourg's Christmas market where a gunman killed four people.
Seven people have died in the "gilets jaunes" (yellow vest) protests so far, the latest in an accident resulting from a blockade by protesters on Friday.Seven people have died in the "gilets jaunes" (yellow vest) protests so far, the latest in an accident resulting from a blockade by protesters on Friday.
Overall, some 33,500 have turned out across the country, police say. This includes Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon, Nantes, Toulouse and others. How is this Saturday shaping up?
Overall, so far some 33,500 have turned out across the country, police say. This includes Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon, Nantes, Toulouse and others.
Fewer than 3,000 people have turned out in Paris so far this Saturday, the authorities say. Last week, there were about 8,000.Fewer than 3,000 people have turned out in Paris so far this Saturday, the authorities say. Last week, there were about 8,000.
Police have stopped and questioned 114 people in the capital, a fifth of the number detained a week ago. Police have stopped and questioned 120 people in the capital, a fifth of the number detained a week ago.
Some shops and department stores have closed for the day.Some shops and department stores have closed for the day.
Scuffles broke out in the centre of Paris on Saturday and police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd trying to make their way through police lines.Scuffles broke out in the centre of Paris on Saturday and police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd trying to make their way through police lines.
"Last time, we were here for taxes," said 28-year-old called Jeremy told the AFP news agency."Last time, we were here for taxes," said 28-year-old called Jeremy told the AFP news agency.
"This is for the institutions - we want more direct democracy," he said, adding that people needed to "shout to make themselves heard"."This is for the institutions - we want more direct democracy," he said, adding that people needed to "shout to make themselves heard".
Some museums are closed, but both the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower remain open.Some museums are closed, but both the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower remain open.
In Bordeaux, more than 4,500 protesters took to the streets. Police had to use water cannon to disperse them. In Nantes, some 1,200 protesters saw rounds of tear gas fired at them.
Similar scenes occurred in Toulouse, Avignon and Besançon.
In Calais, a group of "yellow vests" blocked the access road to the port.In Calais, a group of "yellow vests" blocked the access road to the port.
Thinning support?
Analysis by Hugh Schofield, BBC News, Paris
A few hundred desultory figures in day-glo vests wander up and down the Champs Elysées. Occasionally there are whoops and jeers, followed by a bang and a bit of gas. A group of protesters has got too close to a police cordon, and a show of force pushes them back. The mini-panic lasts about 15 seconds.
That is about the extent of the fifth yellow-vest demonstration, which confirms the downward trend of last Saturday. Maybe the troublemakers will enter the game like they did last week - but it can't be on the same scale, because today there simply aren't enough bona fide protesters around to give them cover.
The "gilets jaunes" who have turned out seem to be the hardline left-wing element. There is a lot of talk about the "RIC" - Citizens' Initiative Referendums. This is a demand of the far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon - and a long way from the yellow vests' original call, which was for a simple cut in fuel tax (long since conceded).
The movement - or at least the Saturday protest movement - is shrinking and hardening.
But has the government not made a U-turn?
The impact of the demonstrations has been keenly felt in France. The government has been forced to bow to pressure and adjust its economic course.The impact of the demonstrations has been keenly felt in France. The government has been forced to bow to pressure and adjust its economic course.
President Emmanuel Macron responded to the nationwide street protests by scrapping an unpopular fuel tax rise, and promising an extra €100 (£90; $114) a month for minimum wage earners and tax cuts for pensioners.President Emmanuel Macron responded to the nationwide street protests by scrapping an unpopular fuel tax rise, and promising an extra €100 (£90; $114) a month for minimum wage earners and tax cuts for pensioners.
However, it is far from clear that he has done enough to defuse public anger.However, it is far from clear that he has done enough to defuse public anger.
The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says some in the movement are calling for a pause following President Macron's concessions, but there are still yellow vests around the country who feel now is not the time to ease the pressure. What is the yellow-vest movement?
On Friday, a driver died following a collision with a truck in Erquelinnes, a Walloon municipality on the border with Belgium. The truck had been held up by a group of yellow-vest protesters. The protesters adopted the name after a social-media campaign urging people to take to the streets wearing the high-visibility yellow jackets that must be carried in every vehicle in France.
Six other people have died in connection with the protests. They were initially protesting against a rise in duties on diesel, which is widely used by French motorists and has long been less heavily taxed than other types of fuel.
Mr Macron had said higher taxes on fossil fuels were needed to fund renewable energy investments.
But protests have also erupted over other issues, including calls for higher wages, lower taxes, better pensions and easier university entry requirements.
The movement's core aim, to highlight the economic frustration and political distrust of poorer working families, has widespread support.
Protest timeline