France: “Yellow Vest” protests scheduled in Paris December 21 /update 33

Event

"Yellow Vest" activists have called for demonstrations in Paris and the Paris region on Saturday, December 21. In Paris, participants plan to gather from 11:00 to 18:00 (local time) at Place de la Bastille. Another rally is scheduled at 16:00 in the Montparnasse area. Other gatherings are planned in the Paris region, notably in Versailles and Montreuil. According to the Police Prefecture, security forces may cordon off the areas surrounding Champs-Élysées, the National Assembly, Hôtel Matignon, Place Notre-Dame, Les Halles station, and the Montparnasse area.

Related protests are possible in other urban centers across France on Saturday.

A heightened security presence and transportation disruptions are to be expected in the vicinity of all protests.

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 2018. 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.

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, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities.