Right-Wing #YellowVests in California

In California, fascists have adopted the yellow vest. Far-Right organizers in this state are using the "veston jaune" symbol out of context of the original French protest movement. The politics of the California groups are the same as the far-right protests that have been occurring since the lead up to the 2016 election. They are trying to organize a major rally in Sacramento for January in support of Trump's border wall, and against the threats of "socialism" and "globalism".

The Tea-Party/#MAGA/Patriot-Prayer type of politics has nothing to do with the original veston jaune protest in France. The French protest is not a right-wing movement, but since these protests began, fascists have been trying to co-opt the movement's energy. Social media platforms and propaganda sites have been used to disseminate disinformation about the situation in France, to make it appear the protests are a right-wing phenomenon. Pro-fascist propagandists like Paul Joseph Watson have claimed that the protesters are rioting against Muslims and against socialism. Donald Trump tried to claim that the French protesters were chanting: "We want Trump"; this lie was spread on social media by his supporters. Networks of troll accounts and bot accounts on social media are framing the protests in pro-fascist context. Similar talking points are now being used by California organizers who want to inflame anger against migrants and Democratic-Socialism. They want a militarized border. They believe climate change is a globalist hoax.

These faux-veston-jaune groups want to gain support for the ongoing right-wing pipe-dream of creating a new state of Jefferson out of the more staunchly conservative counties in California. Paul Preston, a Jefferson secessionist, is calling for "mass revolt" against California. There are Jefferson secessionists who believe that the Paradise (Camp) fire was part of a government plot to seize land, and displace conservatives. Some believe that a California civil war is approaching, and are prepping for such an event. Instead of creating a movement for unity, they are organizing for division.

The MAGA/Patriot mindset that influenced hate groups like Patriot Prayer, the Proud Boys, and RAM is now giving rise to pseudo-militias adorning themselves in yellow vests. In 2016, there was a major fascist rally rally in Sacramento, and now people are trying to organize for another similar rally next month. These groups claim to be solidarity with the French uprising, but their goals are not the same. The French protesters are fighting the fascists that are hiding in their ranks.