© AP / Adrienne SurprenantProtests against Covid-19 vaccine passes in Paris, France, Jan. 8, 2022.
At least 100,000 people took to the streets of France in protest against Covid-19 restrictions and mandates, after President Macron promised to make the lives of the unvaccinated increasingly hard until they accept the jab.
The huge crowds on Saturday were roughly four times larger than back on December 18,
according to police estimates. The protesters opposed, among other things, a nearly implemented government plan to make proof of vaccination against Covid-19 mandatory to use public transport, eat at restaurants, and attend events.
France's National Assembly passed a bill this week which, if approved by the Senate, would introduce so-called 'vaccine passes' to replace the existing 'health passes'. Under the current rules, a negative PCR or antigen test gives access to a pass that is valid for 24 hours. A vaccine pass, however, would only be issued to those who have been fully vaccinated.
People who were infected with Covid-19 would have to receive a booster shot three to four months after contracting the virus in order to get a vaccine pass, Health Minister Olivier Veran said. In the meantime, they could use their recovery certificates.
Comment: That "small minority" Macron is trying to "piss off" is not so small after all....
The demonstrators in Nantes sing "Macron on t'emmerde" (Macron piss off):
Huge demonstration in Toulon:
The Yellow vests demonstration in Paris is substantial too:
In Paris again "Les patriotes" have gathered more people than July 17 (historical record):
In Marseilles, a huge crowd despite the police preventing access to the demonstration:
Comment: There is no excuse for this. DeSantis is right that the move is 'political', but it's also spiteful and heartless. They're playing with people's lives.
See also: