France: "Yellow vest" protests to take place nationwide June 15 /update 9

Event

"Yellow vest" protesters have announced demonstrations across France scheduled for Saturday, June 15, with the largest rallies expected in Paris.

Protesters are expected to gather at 09:00 (local time) at Place de la Bastille and march from 11:30 towards Place du Maréchal Juin via Daumesnil, Place des Fêtes, Place de Stalingrad, Place de Clichy, and Place de Wagram. Yellow vest protesters may also gather around the Arc de Triomphe at 10:00 despite an official prohibition issued by the government.

Security forces in the capital are expected to cordon off the areas surrounding the Champs-Elysées, the Elysée Palace, the National Assembly, and Notre-Dame during the protests to prevent acts of violence and vandalism. Although no public transportation disruptions have yet been announced, information regarding possible closures is available here.

Associated demonstrations are also planned in other French cities on Saturday, including:

• Strasbourg : Place de la République at 10:30
• Lyon: at 12:00 (undisclosed location)
• Toulouse: Place Arnaud Bernard at 12:00
• Montpellier: Place de la Comédie 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 anticipated near related demonstrations. Localized transportation and business disruptions are likely near protest sites, 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. It 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. Demonstrations have continued despite French government proposals to address protesters' concerns. President Emmanuel Macron announced a series of reforms on April 25, including closing corporate tax loopholes, income tax cuts, linking pensions to inflation by 2020, and reforms to referendum processes, among others.

According to the Ministry of Interior, some 9,500 people marched nationwide on June 1 - the lowest participation rate since the start of the "yellow vest" movement. 10, 300 protesters were recorded on June 8.

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.