This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46577598
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 7 | Version 8 |
---|---|
France 'yellow vest' protesters defy government to gather | 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. |
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. |
But the numbers appear to be low. In Paris, slightly more than 2,000 have turned up compared to 10,000 last week. | But the numbers appear to be low. In Paris, slightly more than 2,000 have turned up compared to 10,000 last week. |
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. |
The gilets jaunes | The gilets jaunes |
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. |
How is this Saturday shaping up? | How is this Saturday shaping up? |
Overall, some 33,500 had turned out across the country by 13:00 GMT, police say, about half as many as last Saturday's figure. This includes Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon, Nantes, Toulouse and others. | |
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. |
Police stopped and questioned 168 people in the capital, detaining 115. | |
Scuffles broke out on the Champs-Elysées several times during the day, with police using tear gas and water cannon. However, as night fell, the iconic boulevard was reopened to traffic. | Scuffles broke out on the Champs-Elysées several times during the day, with police using tear gas and water cannon. However, as night fell, the iconic boulevard was reopened to traffic. |
Seven people were injured. | |
Some museums were closed, but both the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower remained open. | Some museums were closed, but both the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower remained open. |
In Bordeaux, more than 4,500 protesters took to the streets. Police had to use water cannon to disperse them. A similar number protested in Toulouse. | In Bordeaux, more than 4,500 protesters took to the streets. Police had to use water cannon to disperse them. A similar number protested in Toulouse. |
In Nantes, some 1,200 protesters saw rounds of tear gas fired at them. | In Nantes, some 1,200 protesters saw rounds of tear gas fired at them. |
Similar scenes occurred in Avignon and Besançon. | Similar scenes occurred in 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? | Thinning support? |
Analysis by Hugh Schofield, BBC News, Paris | 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. | 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. | 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 "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. | The movement - or at least the Saturday protest movement - is shrinking and hardening. |
But has the government not made a U-turn? | 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. |
What is the yellow-vest movement? | What is the yellow-vest movement? |
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. | 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. |
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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | The movement's core aim, to highlight the economic frustration and political distrust of poorer working families, has widespread support. |
Protest timeline | Protest timeline |