Massive Police Presence at Banned Yellow Vest Protest in Paris

PARIS (11-07) – On this fourth weekend of nationwide protests across France, 70,000 police were deployed across the country to head off any violence, vandalism or looting. As inter-union protesters repeated their march from Thursday of this week, members of the “gilets jaunes” (yellow vest) movement called for holding their own “Act IV” protest at the Place de la Concorde.

After being banned by the Préfecture de Police from holding the protest there, yellow vest filed a lawsuit against the government for “obstructing the right to demonstrate.” Being so ordered, the group defiantly announced that they would disobey the order in an act of “mass disobedience” expecting that thousands would be present to air their grievances at what they described as being a “family friendly” event while participants would face fines of up to €135 ($150) for a class 4 misdemeanor and arrest for their participation.

Additionally, concealing your face “…at a demonstration where public disturbances are being committed or are likely to be committed” becomes a criminal offense punishable by one year in prison and a €15,000 ($16,720) fine.

With police heavily saturating the area while a helicopter hovered overhead in anticipation of thousands of protesters expected at the assembly, only one man appeared, wearing a yellow vest while sitting on a French flag accompanied by several extra vests, which he called for others to don in support. One English-speaking gentleman hurriedly took him up on the offer and encouraged others present to do the same as a few people did.

When being interviewed by members from the large press contingency, he further criticized the government for, among other issues, its undemocratic response in disallowing the Place de la Concorde to be used for the protest. After airing his grievances, he was confronted by a Nationale Police CRS riot control officer as other officers corralled the group of 200 protesters and press. No one was allowed to leave until the situation was completely controlled by police as several people, after presenting national identity documents, were being taken away by police.

Among those arrested were several people holding signs calling for more social service, teachers and healthcare workers while rejecting public funds being spent on riot police, military arms and the ultra-rich through tax relief.

After nearly an hour, the police corralled a second group nearby as the area operated normally with tourists stopping to take photos, walking around the famous monuments in the area, and tourist buses driving through the plaza.

While the turn out may have been small, the large number of media present amplified the voices of those protesting. Not unlike a mosaic made up of many small tiles, each piece contributes to the overall finished work through its contribution no matter how small.

On Monday, the protest groups will meet with the government to discuss labor and social issues regarding low wages, the high cost of living, retiree benefits, and education reform, among others. The protest groups collectively are hoping that this week’s strikes and actions will place additional pressure on the government to begin substantive talks towards resolution of their differences.

If not, the groups including the students who initiated the strikes and blockades promise they will not let up until they achieve their goals.

Report and photos by Phil Pasquini

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