What are the risks of the "yellow vests" in demonstrating on November 17th?

The government raises the tone. The police will intervene to lift everything "total blocking" during the day of mobilization of "yellow vests", scheduled for November 17, said the Minister of the Interior, Christophe Castaner, on BFM TV, Tuesday 13 November. Many people have announced via social networks their intention to protest Saturday against rising fuel prices. But what are the protesters at these gatherings presented as spontaneous?

If the event is not declared

"A demonstration, it declares itself in the prefecture, where very few have declared it, I call those who listen to us to declare the place of the demonstration"hammered Christophe Castaner. An event must always be the subject of a prior declaration in the prefecture, whose conditions are set by the ordinance n ° 2012-351 of March 12, 2012.

What sanctions? The organizer of an unauthorized event or one that has not been the subject of a prior declaration may be "punished with six months imprisonment and 7,500 euros fine", according to Article 431-9 of the Penal Code. The participants, they, can be sanctioned with a fine of 38 euros for "breach of the obligations enacted by order of police", according to the article R610-5 of the Penal Code.

How to be in the rules? The declaration must be made at the town hall (or at the Paris police headquarters) "three clear days at least and fifteen clear days at most" before the date of the event. The declaration must specify the names, surnames and residences of the organizers and indicate the purpose of the event, the place, date and time of the meeting and, if applicable, the planned itinerary. If the authority fears a risk to public order, it may refuse to issue this authorization. Protesters can then challenge this decision through an interlocutory injunction allowing the examination of the appeal in less than 48 hours.

If the "yellow vests" organize a blockage

The authorization of the demonstration does not give a total freedom to the demonstrators. These can not hinder the free movement of people, said Christophe Castaner again. It is therefore forbidden to participate in a blockage of traffic.

What sanctions? The obstruction of traffic is an offense punishable by two years' imprisonment and a fine of € 4,500, according to the law of June 12, 2003. In addition to this punishment, those caught at fault are at risk. driver's license suspension, for a maximum of three years, and the impoundment of their vehicle.

If the license plate is concealed

To go protest without being identified, some "yellow vests" plan to hide their license plate. This is strictly prohibited by law.

What sanctions? Hiding his license plate exposes him to a 4th clbad offense (maximum 750 euros), according to article R317-8 of the Highway Code.