01 Feb 2019 | 02:18 AM UTC
France: “Yellow vest” protests planned nationwide February 2 /update 20
“Yellow vest” protests planned across France, including Paris, on February 2; heightened security presence and transportation and business disruptions expected
Event
"Yellow vest" protesters have announced demonstrations across France scheduled for Saturday, February 2. Protesters are expected to rally at various locations throughout Paris, including at Belleville metro station starting at 10:00 (local time), Hôtel de Ville starting at 11:00, and Place de la République from 17:00 to 22:00. Moreover, a march is expected to start at 12:00 at Place Félix Éboué (Daumesnil), continue through Avenue Daumesnil, Rue Moreau, Place de la Bastille, Boulevard Beaumarchais, and end at Place de la République.
Additional demonstrations are also planned on Saturday in Strasbourg from 10:00 at Place de la République to 12:00 at the European Parliament; in Bordeaux beginning at 13:00 at Place de la Bourse; in Valence beginning at 13:00 at the Valence–Sud roundabout and progressing via Avenue Victor Hugo, Rue Denis Papin, Avenue Félix Faure, Boulevard Franklin Roosevelt, and Boulevard du Maréchal Juin; in Lille from 13:30 at Place de la République; in Lyon from 14:00 at Place Bellecour; in Rouen from 14:00 at the Hôtel de Ville; and in Toulouse beginning at 14:00 at Place Herakles and marching via the Monument aux Morts and Allée Jules Guesde.
A heightened security presence is to be expected in major urban areas throughout France in anticipation of the weekend’s demonstrations. Localized transportation and business disruptions in the vicinity of protests are likely, and clashes between security forces and protesters cannot be ruled out.
Context
The "yellow vest" movement began on November 17, 2018, 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, although the scale of protests has diminished since their height in December. 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.
