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PARIS – Voters refusing to put an end to rising fuel taxes continued to slow traffic in France, with the number of people injured during weekend protests rising to at least 409, including 14 serious said Interior Minister Christophe Castaner on Sunday.
Protesters, calling themselves "yellow jackets" for safety jackets, oblige French motorists to stay in vehicles in case of emergency. They block traffic by blocking roads around the country on Saturday. The blockades were counted in 150 locations scattered Sunday, said Castaner on RTL radio.
The situation throughout the night was "agitated", he said, with "assaults, fights, stabbing", including among the protesters. He said 157 people had been arrested for interrogation – double the number reported on Saturday night.
The initial objective of the protests, namely the increase of taxes on diesel fuel and gasoline, has been expanded to include the reduced purchasing power of French citizens and complaints about President Emmanuel Macron's policy.
Macron did not comment on the weekend protests. Contrary to the norm, they were not led by trade unions and politicians were shunned, even if right-wing and right-wing figures joined the obstacles.
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe was to address the issue on French television Sunday night.
Protesters march on Avenue des Champs-Elysees to protest against fuel taxes in Paris, France, on Saturday, November 17, 2018. France is preparing for a disorder in traffic at the national level while drivers plan to block roads to protest against higher fuel taxes. President Emmanuel Macron. (Michel Euler / Associated Press)
"I do not think that silence is the right answer," said Troyes Mayor François Baroin, former minister of the Right and Senator. The prefecture of Troyes was invaded and damaged by demonstrators Saturday.
"It's a very powerful message sent from the depths of France," he told BFMTV.
At the same time, French media reported Sunday that a driver who had panicked Saturday at a roadblock in eastern Savoy, hitting and killing a protester, was charged with 39, manslaughter.
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