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Understanding the Collective Rage of France’s ‘Gilets Jaunes’

Shuttered shops, burning cars and tear gas. We were on the ground in Paris with the “Yellow Vests” protesters as they took to the streets for the fourth week in a row.

One of the world’s oldest democracies is engulfed by rage. Thousands of protesters from every corner of the country flooded the streets of Paris for the fourth weekend in a row. We witnessed the unrest transform the city. The “Gilet Jaunes” or “Yellow Vests” movement started last month when working-class people from the countryside rose up in response to a fuel tax increase. President Emmanuel Macron announced he’d repeal the tax. But it’s too late. The protests have already morphed into a broader rebellion now taking aim at him. Most of the people we met yesterday came in peace. Some protesters did come to fight, hurling stones, torching cars, smashing windows. At least 2,000 were arrested nationwide. On the morning of the protest, Paris felt like it was on lockdown — monuments, shops and subways were shut. At least 8,000 police and security officers were deployed. We traveled around the city to hear from different groups of protesters. We met some of those who joined more recently, like students, environmentalists and union organizers. They were all united in their opposition to the government, but leaderless and without clear demands. It’s not certain who Macron should be listening to and negotiating with. As the day wore on, the protests were co-opted by more extreme rioters. Police confronted them with tear gas and stun grenades. While demonstrations may dissipate in the coming weeks, the shared anger of the protesters will remain. Where that anger will lead France and how all of this will end, is uncertain.

The Dispatch

On-the-Ground Video Dispatches

Understanding the Collective Rage of France’s ‘Gilets Jaunes’

By Cora Engelbrecht, Emma Cott, Yousur Al-Hlou and Anna Prichard December 9, 2018

Shuttered shops, burning cars and tear gas. We were on the ground in Paris with the “Yellow Vests” protesters as they took to the streets for the fourth week in a row.

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