Gilet jaune, translated as the Yellow vests movement, refers to the high-visibility jackets that protesters have adopted as a symbol of their complaint. French law requires all motorists to carry these jackets in cars.
The movement began earlier this month as a protest against the rising price of fuel, but later took on a wider role, and the Gilets jaunes are now seen as symbols of the growing popular discontent with French President Macron.
In the second demonstration, on November 24, the Champs Elysées, one of the most beautiful and famous avenues in the world, turned into a trench scene and clash with the police. The cost of rebuilding the Champs Elysées Avenue after the street battle is very high. Only the Dior luxury store has estimated its loss one million euros.
The recent trenches on the Champs Elysées Avenue are reminiscent of the famous rebellion recorded in history by the “Paris Commune”. The Paris Commune was a radical socialist and revolutionary government that ruled Paris from 18 March to 28 May 1871.
Gilets jaune is a spontaneous and unorganized movement that has risen from the ordinary and the poor; people who the fuel price has a serious impact on their life.
Unflattering label “president of the rich” — has been affixed to the young leader, over his reaction. French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner accused far-right leader Marine Le Pen of fanning the protests in the capital which she denied.
Except for the far-right, the left-wingers are also trying to take the leadership of the Gilet jaune movement. But it is clear that this movement is totally unorganized and unexpected and comes from economic pressure on an important class of the French people. The section of society that created the massive and bloody uprisings of 1789, 1830, 1848, and 1871 in France and added the term “revolution” to a new political culture.
To this end, the Financial Times chose the following headline for its report on November 27: ”The French pick up their pitchforks against President Macron.” A pitchfork is a tool with a long handle and two pointed parts that is used on a farm for lifting hay or cut grass.
Economist wrote on November 27: “How long the protest movement can last depends partly on whether it can survive an attempted mutation into a more organized movement. The Gilets jaunes are currently structureless and leaderless, which is both their strength but also a potential weakness. Internal rivalries and conflicting objectives could yet split the movement, as could a loss of public support if the movement radicalizes. Unlike union-led demonstrations, the amorphous nature of the Gilets jaunes protests also makes it more difficult for the government to negotiate with them.”
According to the Guardian on November 24, French President Emanuel Macron’s approval rating has plummeted with just 26 percent of French people supporting him, while Gilets jaunes movement has the backing of 80 percent of the French.
MNA/TT
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