France: “Yellow vest” protests nationwide Dec. 29 /update 10

Event

The "Yellow vest" movement is set to hold disruptive protests in the capital Paris on Saturday, December 29. Participants will gather from 09:00 (local time) on Avenue des Champs-Elysées. Additional protests will also be held around media headquarters, notably BFM and TV2, as well as in regional urban centers, including Lille, Lyon, Toulouse, and Marseille. Localized transportation disruptions, along with a heightened security presence, are expected in the vicinity of the demonstrations. Clashes between participants and police forces cannot be ruled out.

As a reminder, a protest is set to take place from 15:00 on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées in Paris on December 31.

Context

The "yellow vest" movement began on November 17 to protest rising fuel prices and a planned fuel tax, and has since grown to encompass a number of popular grievances against the French government; some protests have turned violent and acts of vandalism and looting have been reported. The government had previously announced a tax increase on fuel prices, including gasoline and diesel, beginning on January 1, 2019, to promote environmentally-friendly practices. Although the government announced the withdrawal of the carbon tax project from the 2019 budget on December 5, protests have continued.

Advice

Individuals located in France are advised to follow all instructions issued by local authorities, avoid all protests due to the risk of violence, and allow for extra time to reach their destinations.