22 Feb 2019 | 07:22 AM UTC
France: “Yellow vest” protests to take place nationwide February 23 /update 1
“Yellow vest” protests planned across France, including Paris, on February 23; heightened security presence and transportation and business disruptions expected
Event
"Yellow vest" protesters have announced demonstrations across France scheduled for Saturday, February 23. Rallies are expected at various locations throughout Paris, including at Place du Maréchal Juin at 10:00 (local time), on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées at 11:00, and at Place de la République at 14:00. Moreover, demonstrators are expected to march from the Arc de Triomphe to the Trocadéro beginning at 11:00 via Place de l'Alma, Les Invalides, Palais de Luxembourg, l'Île de la Cité, Châtelet, and the Palais de l'Élysée.
Associated demonstrations are also planned on Saturday in various cities, including: Strasbourg at Place de la République at 10:00 and the European Parliament building at 15:00; Lille at Place de la République at 12:30; Grenoble at Parc Paul Mistral at 13:00; Bordeaux at Place de la Bourse at 13:00; Toulouse at Allée Jean-Jaurès at 13:00; Montpellier at Place de la Comédie at 13:00; Lyon at Place Bellecour at 14:00; and in Rennes at Place de la République at 14:00.
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.
