Street theater and support for Julian Assange: Yellow Vest protests roll on into 22nd week UPDATE

RT
Sat, 13 Apr 2019 17:18 UTC

© Pascal Pavani / Agence France-Presse

Police officers run as a trailer is set on fire during an anti-government demonstration called by the "Yellow vests" movement in Toulouse, on April 13, 2019.

Sporadic clashes with police marred Yellow Vests protests in Toulouse, the city chosen as the 'capital' of this week's anti-government marches in France. Act 22 is the first since a controversial anti-rioting law took effect.

Several thousand protesters took part in the demonstration in Toulouse on Saturday, marking the 22nd consecutive week of the "gilets jaunes" movement. Smaller rallies involving hundreds of people happened in capital Paris, and other French cities.

Unlike some earlier protest gatherings, no major rioting has occurred so far this weekend. The police in Toulouse was filmed deploying tear gas and some clashes were reported.

But otherwise, the protest seems peaceful...

...and more jovial than full of rage

Some participants used the occasion to show support to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who was arrested on Thursday in London.

This week a new controversial anti-rioting law came into force in France after the country's Constitutional Council partially censured it. Some of its provisions, including one that bans covering one's face during a mass gathering, was criticized by human rights organizations. Some of the protesters on Saturday apparently ignored it by wearing gas masks and other gear.

The protest movement is meant to keep pressure on the French government despite it officially declaring on Monday an end to a three-month period of public debate on its economic policies. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said the government needs to digest some two million online contributions and 10,000 hours of town hall meetings before formulating a path forward.

The continued protests were ignited by a hike in fuel taxes last November, which prompted the protesters to adopt the now-iconic motorist visibility vest as their symbol. It soon escalated into a massive movement against President Emmanuel Macron's business-friendly austerity policies.

Comment: The protests against the government have persisted for five months. Macron appears to be waiting for them to fizzle out. So far it doesn't look like that's going to happen. How long does he think he can survive?

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe seems to be a little panicked:

France's Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has called for quick tax cuts in response to the anger expressed by Yellow Vests protesters. Philippe on Monday unveiled the results of a three-month "grand debate" launched by President Emmanuel Macron in response to the protests. The PM said the debate clearly indicates that "we must cut taxes and cut them more quickly." He said however, that the government must also cut public spending. Macron is expected to unveil a series of economic measures next week, AP reported.

UPDATE 14/04/19: Not all was quiet across France in the fifth month of protests as Toulouse filled with clouds of tear gas:

© Ruptly

Officers in full riot gear blocked several streets in attempts to hold off the Yellow Vests, some of whom tried arguing with the police.

Footage shows riot police struggling to contain Yellow Vest protesters on the tear-gas-filled streets of Toulouse, France during clashes in which 43 people were arrested and more than a dozen were injured.

Sporadic clashes broke out in the French southern city of Toulouse of Saturday as it was declared the 'capital' of the Yellow Vest (Gilets Jaunes) protests that day. Footage filmed by video agency Ruptly shows people running in panic through thick clouds of smoke and tear gas filling the streets.

Protesters were coughing and covering their faces in an effort to avoid being gassed. Others kicked the gas canisters away, while some picked them up and hurled them back at officers. Volunteer medics could be seen rushing to treat a man lying on the pavement, who appeared to be unconscious.

Officers in full riot gear blocked several streets in attempts to hold off the Yellow Vests, some of whom tried arguing with the police.

During the clashes, the protesters threw stones, bottles, and firecrackers at the officers, who responded with tear gas and water cannon. Some 21 people were injured and 43 arrested in Toulouse during the day.