France: “Yellow vest” protests planned nationwide February 9 /update 23

Event

"Yellow vest" protesters have announced demonstrations across France scheduled for Saturday, February 9. Protesters are expected to rally at various locations throughout Paris, including at the Assemblée Nationale starting at 8:00 (local time), at the Arc de Triomphe and Place Paul Léautaud at 9:00, Château Rouge metro station at 10:00, on the Champs-Élysées at 11:00, and Place de la République from 14:00 to 17:00. Moreover, a march is expected to start at 12:00 at the Arc de Triomphe continue across the Pont des Invalides to the Assemblée Nationale, through Place Vauban, and end at Champs de Mars. Smaller gatherings are expected elsewhere in Île-de-France region, including in Ivry-sur-Seine and Montreuil.

Additional demonstrations are also planned on Saturday in Strasbourg from 10:00 at Place de la République; in Nice from 11:00 at Boulevard des Jardiniers; in Bordeaux from 13:00 at Place de la Bourse; in Mulhouse from 13:00 at Place de la Réunion; in Toulon from 13:00 at Place de la Liberté; in Lille from 13:30 at Place de la République; in Brest from 13:30 at Place de la Liberté; in Metz from 13:30 at Place de la République; in Toulouse from 14:00 at Allée Jean Jaurès; in Lyon from 14:00 at Place Bellecour; in Dijon from 14:00 at Place de la République; in Rouen from 14:00 at Place Général de Gaulle, and in Tours from 14:00 at the municipal building.

Additional "yellow vest" protests are to be expected across France over the coming weeks, particularly on Saturdays. A heightened security presence is to be expected near related demonstrations. Localized transportation and business disruptions are likely in the vicinity of protests, 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 the protests has diminished since their height in December. Some 1700 demonstrators and 1000 police officers have been wounded in clashes since the protests began.

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 monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests due to the risk of violence, budget extra time to reach their destinations if traveling through areas affected by demonstrations, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities.