France: “Yellow Vest” protest planned in Paris January 11 /update 38

Event

"Yellow Vest" activists have called for a march in Paris on Saturday, January 11. Participants plan to gather at 10:00 (local time) at the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand metro station before heading to Place de la Nation via Neuve Tolbiac street and the Daumesnil metro station, where activists will join another scheduled protest to denounce the government's pension reform proposal. The latter is expected to start at 13:30. Additional protests are possible in other urban centers across France.

Associated business and transportation disruptions, and a heightened security presence are to be anticipated near all demonstration sites.

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.

Thousands have protested across France since December 2019 to voice their opposition to the planned pension reform scheme. Related, nationwide strikes have caused significant disruptions across all forms of transportation. Strikes may continue for an indefinite period if the government does not abandon its proposed pension reform plan.

Advice

Individuals in Paris and across France are advised to avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, monitor developments, anticipate transportation and business disruptions near protest sites, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.