Retirees and workers put to burn France after announcements of Macron

[Akrapovic]

There are retirees, artisans, workers, small businesswomen and caregivers. And all from the same origin, rural and deep France. The 'yellow vests' are the first movement of social contestation that succeeds in beating the French president, Emmanuel Macron, who had been intransigent with his plan of reforms.

They have different claims, but they are united by three things: they believe that they pay too much taxes, they feel that their impoverishment is galloping and they point to the same culprit of their ills: Macron.

"The real problem is Macron. People have developed hatred towards him, I am the first, "says Marine Charrette-Labadie, a 22-year-old unemployed woman.

The movement of the 'yellow vests' was born after a video posted on Facebook on October 18, in which Jacline Mouraud, a stranger, denounced the rise in fuel prices that was due to enter into force on January 1. His message quickly went viral and calls to block roads multiplied on social networks.
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From this, from November 17, when the first major national protest was called, dozens of 'yellow vests' - named for mandatory reflective garments for drivers - took to the streets.

They started with their opposition to an increase in taxes on fuel, but their demands are now higher: rise in the minimum wage, lower pensions and even a change of regime to work with po[CENSORED]r consultations, as in Switzerland.

This movement is inscribed in the long French history of social protest. However, it differs by having been born in social networks and the origin of the demonstrators, mostly workers and employees of rural areas.

The 'yellow vests' organize their actions on social networks. In its first national protest, on November 17, some 300,000 people left to march throughout the country. The protests have continued since then, with roadblocks and fuel deposits, which caused a shortage of gasoline.
On November 24, 166,000 people protested and 136,000 did so on December 1, of which 8,000 protested in Paris.

The marches reached their peak in the French capital, where there were violent clashes between protesters and police on the famous Avenue des Champs-Elysees, as well as looting in some of the most prestigious districts of the capital, with a balance of over 400 detainees.

On Saturday, December 1, the third great day resulted in violent incidents in several cities of France, especially in Paris, where scenes of violence took place in the Arc de Triomphe and in several well-off neighborhoods. There is a third mortal victim. Some 136,000 fewer protesters than the previous Saturday participated throughout the country, and there were 370 arrests.

The real problem is Macron. People have developed a hatred towards him, I the first

This Saturday, the situation was not different. The detention of almost 1,400 people in France - of them, more than 900 in Paris - and the strategy of a police emergency device allowed to limit the size of the disturbances, but there were scenes of burning cars and shops and restaurants looted and destroyed. According to the authorities, about 125,000 'yellow vests' came out to protest and felt less violence than previous days.

Now it is expected that President Macron will provide elements for this dialogue as a positive reaction, after the silence he has maintained this week.

The French Prime Minister, Édouard Philippe, announced in the past days the suspension for six months of the increase in taxes on fuels, but the next day the increase was completely annulled; however, this is not enough for the 'yellow vests'.

The country is on red alert because of the violent reactions the protesters have had.

Monuments of Paris such as the Arc de Triomphe, considered a cultural heritage, suffered damage. Dozens of cars were burned, shops ransacked and luxury houses and cafeterias destroyed in the capital.

Fearing this violence, the six matches of the French soccer league have been suspended since Friday. In addition, several Parisian museums, such as the Louvre and the Grand Palais; the two opera venues, many shops around the Champs Elysees and the iconic Eiffel Tower closed yesterday as a security measure.

The protests of the 'yellow vests' have had a contagious effect and have expanded in other sectors, mainly among the students. Around 200 secondary schools and schools, as well as some universities, were blocked or affected throughout France. Students protest against a reform of the baccalaureate and access to universities.

The image of the French president has also been affected. Macron, who came to power after a meteoric rise, presented himself as a "reformer" who had promised to transform France. But a part of the opinion considers that its policy is unjust; He is perceived as an "arrogant" man who does not listen to the people.

Its po[CENSORED]rity has fallen to historic lows. Only 23 percent of the French approve their management. Now, several analysts question his ability to carry out the reforms he promised for his term, such as retirement pension, which is key.

The proposal for an increase in a gasoline tax for 2019 was presented by the authorities as a way to fight against pollution. This concession is a hard blow for environmentalists, who denounce that the environment is the big loser in this crisis.
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Prime Minister Philippe met with a delegation of "yellow jackets" considered moderate who have distanced themselves from the violence and demanded the intervention of President Macron, with concrete and rapid measures, especially to improve purchasing power.

"The president has to take into account everything we have said," said Jacline Mouraud, one of the spokespersons and who posted the video on Facebook with which the movement began.

Mouraud considered that the prime minister had listened to them and taken note of their demands: "Now we wait for the word of the president". In the same vein, Benjamin Cauchy, another member of the delegation, insisted that "it is time for the president of the republic to assume his responsibilities and speak quickly."