In late 2018, France witnessed one of its largest uprisings in 50 years—the yellow vests protests—characterized by widespread violence and significant economic impact. The protests erupted on Nov. 17, 2018, with over 280,000 participants on the first day. As the demonstrations escalated, they resulted in vandalism, including graffiti on the Arc de Triomphe, thick smoke near the Louvre, burning cars, and looted luxury stores.
By the end of the protests, approximately 4,500 people were injured, including about 2,000 police officers. More than 10,000 arrests were made, leading to over 3,000 convictions and over 400 prison sentences. The French government faced significant property damage, with losses totaling around €1.5 million in the two weeks preceding the protests.
On Nov. 24, violence erupted in Paris, prompting police to use tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. During the peak of the protests from November to December, daily arrests often exceeded 300, with a notable 1,723 arrests on Dec. 8 alone.
In response to the unrest, on Feb. 1, 2019, the French Council of State ruled that security forces had the authority to use rubber ball launchers to control demonstrators. Shortly after, the National Assembly passed an anti-violence bill on Feb. 5, prohibiting masked protests, with violators facing up to one year in prison and fines of up to €15,000.
On April 30, 2019, a government spokesperson announced that President Macron ordered a very firm stance against any instances of violence. The protests also saw severe actions against demonstrators, such as the case of Anthony M., who was sentenced to six years in prison for seriously injuring a police officer with a metal rod.
Related News:
Comment