On 16 November, the Yellow Vests took to the streets marking the first anniversary of the movement that was triggered by the proposed hike in fuel prices and swiftly morphed into a nation-wide action against Paris’ economic policies, tax reforms, and social inequalities.
The protesters were confronted by riot police using tear gas and water cannons. Over 100 people were arrested in Paris, where other type of violent rioters smashed windows and ransacked historical monuments.
Now, French professional firefighters are also seeking to expand their protest movement with a new series of actions starting in the first week of December 2019.
Meanwhile, on 14 November, thousands of healthcare workers took to the streets in France’s capital and other cities with the slogan “Save public hospitals” being joined by French professional firefighters who have been protesting for several months.
In June 2019 seven unions, representing 85% of the professional firefighters informed France’s Interior Minister Christophe Castaner about the forthcoming action citing problems with the emergency services.
Ahead of the anniversary, yellow vest protesters took to the streets in Paris, which ended up in violent, bloody clashes between the protesters and security forces, and the event was eventually banned by the Paris police.
The yellow vest demonstrations originated on 17 November last year, initially as rallies against the government’s intent to raise fuel taxes.
Despite the French government’s decision to abandon fuel tax hikes, the protests around the country continued and quickly grew into a full-scale movement with regular rallies on Saturday.
Sputnik / ABC Flash Point News 2019.
