Protesters protest in France and maintain pressure on the government of Emmanuel Macron | World

The movement, which aims to highlight the challenges people face in surviving, began late last year and was initially directed against rising gas prices. Then the agenda was expanded with claims against the social and fiscal policy of the government.

The conflicts of this Saturday were particularly recorded in the capital during acts defying the government, denouncing an attempt at "insurrection" and a request for a return to order. Macron condemned what he called "extreme violence [que] came to attack the Republic".

The "VIII Act" of the mobilization brought together 50 000 people, against 32 000 the previous Saturday, announced the Minister of the Interior, Christophe Castaner. The weekend before Christmas, there were 65,000 protesters.

This "Act VIII" of the mobilization is a test for the movement, which has been challenging the executive for a month and a half, although he has lost his breath in recent weeks with the holidays.

At the previous demonstration on December 29, the Ministry of the Interior reported that there were 12,000 protesters throughout the country. On December 22, there were 38,600 and November 17, 282,000.

Since the beginning of the movement, more than 1,500 people have been injured, including 53 seriously among the demonstrators and nearly 1,100 members security forces. In addition, ten people died, mainly in road blocking accidents.

The parade of this Saturday in Paris left the Avenue des Champs-Elysees and developed without incident in the morning. However, in the afternoon, clashes erupted and shells were fired at police officers, who responded with tear gas, including on the banks of the Seine, in the center of the capital.

On a podium on the Seine, an officer was wounded and evacuated by firefighters, according to the gendarmerie.

A fire was also recorded on a restaurant boat moored near the Musée d'Orsay. Several bicycles, a car and garbage cans were burned on Boulevard Saint-Germain, a noble district of the popular tourist center, where improvised barricades were erected.

"It is not possible to set fire in this way, it is the apocalypse," commented an inhabitant worried about "the image of France in the world".

Protesters gathered in the afternoon, about 4,000 people, according to police. Other cities have also experienced moments of tension in this new mobilization.

After these incidents, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on Twitter that "everyone has responsibility and respect for the law" and said that he had gathered representatives of the forces security for a videoconference on the situation. in the country.

This is the first mobilization of 2019, despite the concessions of the executive, who is preparing to debate the movement's demands in mid-January.

"Yellow vests" invade the streets of Paris and French cities to protest against the government.

In Nantes (west), the demonstration, which gathered at least 2,000 people, also gave rise to clashes, including grenades. At least one person was injured.

In Rouen, 2,000 demonstrators gathered, according to the police. After firing stones at the security forces, police fired tear gas and defense bombs, hitting a protester in the street. behind the head.

According to the regional authorities, four police officers were slightly injured as a result of stones and bottles being thrown by the "yellow jackets".

Bordeaux and Toulouse (south-west) are among the main bastions of the movement. Preceded by a banner proclaiming "United, change is possible", about 4,600 "yellow vests" marched in Bordeaux in calm, smooth with the security forces.

In Toulouse, there were 2,000 people, against 1,350 in the previous act.

Thousands of "yellow vests" have also blocked the A7 road that crosses the city of Lyon (center-east) in both directions, causing traffic jams at the end of the year.

"We are here to change the system, as long as there is nothing to change, we will continue to be there, we have no reason to go back to back, "said Walter, a 23-year-old student.

The movement wants to regain strength [196459019]

Two months after starting blocking roads, taking toll roads and sometimes organizing violent demonstrations in the streets of Paris, the "yellow vests" are trying to give a new dynamic movement is weakened during the end of the year holidays.

Shaken by the protests, the Macron government begins another year of the offensive, calling on the remaining protesters to act as agitators trying to overthrow the government. Police arrested Wednesday night (2) one of the movement's personalities.

Earlier this afternoon, thousands of protesters dressed in highly visible jackets gave the name to the movement that walked peacefully from the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in central Paris.

Some sang the national anthem "La Marseillaise", others waved banners saying "Macron, quit!" and "put an end to the privileges of the elite".

Galeries Lafayette department store closes briefly, but luxury stores and restaurants are generally open.

The demonstrations are motivated by the dissatisfaction of the working clbad and the lower middle clbad with regard to the family's income burden and by the belief that Macron does not listen to the needs ordinary citizens by adopting reforms deemed favorable to the rich.

Thousands of people gathered in Bordeaux, in the south-west, in Rouen in the north and Marseille in the south-east, although in smaller numbers than during the first weeks of demonstrations.

The protests – 18 months after the start of Macron's tenure and his efforts to reform the economy – have already forced the 41-year-old president to make concessions.

Last month, Macron announced tax cuts for retirees, wage increases for the poorest workers and the abandonment of planned increases to end protests at a cost of $ 10 billion euros for the Treasury.

Embarrbaded by these unprecedented protests, the head of state, Emmanuel Macron, announced on December 10 a series of measures, such as the increase of 100 euros in the minimum wage, and promised a return the 31st of December. to the order "Republican".

But the critical voices are far from being silent. "Anger will turn into hatred if you continue on your pedestal, you and those who look like you consider the people as beggars, without teeth," said the group of "yellow vests" called "France in cholera" to the president released Thursday evening.

Faced with this determination, the government hardens the tone. "[O movimento] for those who remain mobilized, it has become an act of agitators who want the insurgency and finally overthrow the government," said Friday the government spokesman, Benjamin Griveaux.

The Minister of the Interior, Christophe Castaner, urged the mayors to continue to evacuate, if necessary, using force "the 100 points of blockage" that still exist on French roads.

To try to avoid the security forces, some "yellow vests" seem to opt for a new strategy based on discretion.