France: “Yellow Vest” protests planned in Paris and Lille February 22 /update 44

Event

"Yellow Vest" activists have called for protests in Paris and Lille on Saturday, February 22. In Paris, a protest is set to start at Porte de Saint-Cloud at 10:00 (local time), while another demonstration will take place from 09:00 to 18:00 at the Salon de l'Agriculture, which President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend. Participants also plan to gather at Place de la Porte de Champerret at 08:30, before heading towards Gare du Nord via Porte de Saint-Ouen. Activists are then expected to travel to Lille where they will join another demonstration scheduled to start at 14:30 at Place de la République.

Related gatherings are likely in Nantes, Marseille, Avignon, Lyon, and Montpellier. 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.

Advice

Individuals in Paris and Lille, 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.