France: “Yellow vest” protests planned for January 26 /update 19

Event

"Yellow vest" protesters have announced demonstrations across France scheduled for Saturday, January 26. Protesters are expected to rally at various locations throughout Paris, including on Avenue des Champs-Élysées beginning at 10:00 (local time), Parc de Belleville from 10:00 to 16:00, at the Hôtel de Ville at 11:00, and Place de la République from 14:00 to 22:00. Demonstrators will also gather at the municipal building in Poissy (Île-de-France) from 13:00 to 18:00. Additional gatherings are expected to take place at Porte de la Chapelle (Paris) and in the Kremlin-Bicetre district (Île-de-France).

Moreover, a "Yellow vest" march is expected in Paris from the Ministry of Overseas building, continue to Musée d'Orsay, across the Passerelle Leopold bridge to Place Vendôme, and end at the offices of Facebook near the Quatre-Septembre metro station.

Additional demonstrations are also planned in Lille from 13:30 at Place de la République, in Lyon from 14:00 at Place Bellecour, and in Bordeaux from 17:00 at Place Pey Berland. A heightened security presence is expected in major urban areas throughout France. Localized transportation and business disruptions in the vicinity of protests are also likely. Clashes between security forces and protesters cannot be ruled out.

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