After the announcement of the French prime minister about further tax increases, the French took to the streets. On Saturday over 250,000 people were reported to join the protest all over the country, creating roadblocks, blocking roundabouts and access roads. Over 400 people have been injured and one woman is dead due to unrest caused by the protesters, reports the BBC.
The protests started after a 51-year-old woman, Jacqueline Mouraud posted a video about fuel price increases. She opened a Pandora’s box. Mouraud now heads the nationwide protest movement, reports the French press agency AFP. The protesters are wearing „yellow vests”, a sign of protest against the tax policies of President Macron, who announced further increases in diesel prices.
Pour un mouvement représentatif de la #France et non instrumentalisé par le #RN je trouve ça blanc … très très blanc…. c est bizarre… simple remarque.
Je respecterais les #GiletsJaunes quand les fachos seront partis. pic.twitter.com/K3LYIVtgiG— sg.mtb (@SGOUYGOUX) November 19, 2018
Diesel is getting more expensive
In France, one liter of diesel costs on average 1.51 euros. It is the highest price for diesel since the early 2000s, reports the AFP. The last announcements by Édouard Philippe, the French Prime Minister and President Emmanuel Macron about further increases of 6.5 cents on diesel and 2.9 cents in tax on petrol on 1 January 2019, was a final blow. Officially, the government justifies tax increases with environmental issues.
400 people injured
3,500 protesters stayed on the streets on Saturday night until Sunday. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner reports that some protesters were under the influence of alcohol and caused unrest.
There were assaults, fights, stabbings. There were fights among ‚yellow vest’ protesters. There was a lot of alcohol at certain venues, which led to this idiotic behaviour,” said Minister Castaner.
Police questioned 282 protesters in total, 73 during the night, of whom 157 were taken into custody
Photo: Twitter/Chanteloube