What started as a protest against the planned hikes in gas taxes in France, has quickly turned into a protest against much more. More than a quarter million French citizens joined the “Yellow Vests” movement and have been blockading roads to protest raising taxes and for some, the policies of President Emmanuel Macron.
Drivers and civilians have blocked highway access roads, intersections, and roundabouts across France. Some protesters have even began blocking access to border crossings. These blockades have caused not only major traffic issues, but also made it difficult for residents in suburbs, exurbs, and rural areas of France from using their cars to carry on with their normal day.
In Paris, about 1,200 demonstrators almost reached the presidential residence, Elysée, shouting “Macron quit” and blocked the Champs-Élysées, an avenue in France.
However, most protesters in small towns and suburban areas have not been using such hostile tones, according to Didier Lacombe, a retiree living on a fixed income near Éragny, “We are not political people; we do not belong to a union, we are citizens…The taxes are rising on everything. They put taxes on top of taxes.” Lacombe and his wife are preparing to join what is known as the “Yellow Vests” protests after the vests that are worn by the protesters.
The Protests have begun to gain attention around the world in the last couple of months due to social media. This has also prompted more French citizens to join the movement.
So far, most of the protests have been orderly, though more 200 have been injured and one person was killed in accidents and altercations around the country. According to Christophe Castaner, Minister of the Interior of France, protesters began surrounding a car, banging on the roof, and scaring the driver of the vehicle. The driver panicked and ploughed through the crowd in Pont-de-Beauvoisin, southeast France, killing a woman in her 50’s.
The Protests have begun to gain attention around the world in the last couple of months due to social media. This has also prompted more French citizens to join the movement.