France: “Yellow vest” protests to take place nationwide March 30 /update 4

Event

"Yellow vest" protesters have announced demonstrations across France scheduled for Saturday, March 30. Rallies are expected at various locations throughout the capital, Paris, including at Place du Maréchal Juin at 10:00 (local time), at Place de la Bastille at 11:00, at Gare de l'Est at 11:00, at Châtelet at 12:00, and at Place de la République at 14:00.

Additionally, two marches are scheduled to take place in Paris: the first one is expected to start at 13:30 from Gare de l'Est and end at the Trocadéro. The second one is expected to start at 14:00 from Place du Châtelet to the Trocadéro via Quai de la Mégisserie, Quai Mitterrand, Pont du Carrousel, Rue des Saints-Pères, Rue du Four, Rue de Sèvres, Avenue de Saxe, Avenue de Lowendal, Avenue de Suffren, Quai Branly, and Pont d'Iéna.

Security forces are expected to preemptively block the Champs-Elysées during the protests to prevent acts of violence and vandalism.

Associated demonstrations are planned in other French cities on Saturday, including: Lille at Place de la République at 12:30; Toulouse at Allée Jean Jaurès at 12:30; Bordeaux at Place de la Bourse at 13:00; Lyon at Place de la République at 14 :00; and Montpellier at 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. However, the latest protests on March 16 were marked by some 1500 rioters who sought to create unrest, according to law enforcement and government officials, some of them reportedly breaking storefront windows and committing further acts of violence and vandalism.

Demonstrations have continued despite French government proposals to address protesters concerns.

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.