Week 10 protesters of the "yellow vest" in France

(PARIS) – Thousands of protesters gathered Saturday in several French cities for a tenth consecutive weekend, despite a national debate launched this week by President Emmanuel Macron with the aim of easing their anger.

In Paris, protesters responded to the call of a prominent and provocative protester promoting a march starting at the Invalides monument in Paris, where Napoleon's tomb is located, in memory of 10 people killed in road accidents and hundreds injured since the beginning of the movement. 17.

Protesters blamed the police for using rubber bullets that injured dozens of people.

"It's not normal to treat people the way you do. We have injuries every Saturday, "said Juliette Rebet, a protest marching in Paris.

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In the Invalides, protesters carrying a banner bearing the inscription "Citizens in danger" marched in front of the procession and held black coffin-shaped paintings in memory of those killed.

Paris has deployed 5,000 police around the capital, including around the government buildings and the Champs-Elysees, theater of recent violence. Approximately 80,000 police officers are deployed throughout the country.

The demonstrators marched peacefully in the French capital. Twelve people were arrested early in the afternoon, according to figures provided by the Paris police.

The capital and a large part of France suffered weeks of demonstrations that sometimes degenerated into violence. Saturday marked the 10th consecutive weekend of protests against the yellow vest, and will check whether the Macron debate is slowing the movement.

The popular protests that took place two months ago on fuel taxes led to a greater revolt against economic problems. The movement showed signs of slowing down during the holiday season, but more than 80,000 people demonstrated in France last weekend – against 50,000 the previous week.

Macron faces a plethora of demands ranging from the reintroduction of the ISF to the richest of the country, to the implementation of popular votes allowing citizens to propose new laws.

Macron launched its big debate this week at meetings with mayors and local officials. The debate that has lasted for three months consists of a series of meetings organized by ordinary citizens, badociations and elected officials to allow the French to express their views on the economy and democracy. Macron said he was open to discussions but has already warned that he will not give up on his promises, including the delicate issue of pension reform.

"We do not believe in the big debate," said Jonathan Gaby, a protester from the Paris suburbs. "We will not decide, the government will decide in the end."

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