France convoy protest | |||
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Part of COVID-19 protests in France | |||
Date | February 11, 2022 (2022-02-11) | ||
Location | Paris, France | ||
Caused by | COVID-19 pandemic in France, vaccine mandates in France | ||
Methods | Convoy | ||
Status | Ended | ||
Parties | |||
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The French convoy protest le Convoi de la Liberté ("the liberty convoy") was a protest in Paris inspired by the Canadian convoy protests. They were protesting COVID-19 restrictions as well as president Emmanuel Macron.[1][2][3][4]
Officials in Paris and Brussels banned protests relating to the Freedom Convoy, following information from organizers of a similar event opposed to France's Health Pass that five convoys from across France are due to reach Paris between February 11 and 14.[5][6]
French Police intercepted hundreds of vehicles and issued hundreds of fines in response to the protest.[7] Riot police employed tear gas against protesters and arrested 44 people on February 12. The protesters had been armed with weapons, including "slingshots, hammers, knives, gas cans and protective equipment."[8]
Yellow Vest influence
[edit]In addition to the convoy's influence from the Freedom Convoy in Canada is the reminiscence of the Yellow Vest protests which erupted in France in late 2018. Sorbonne University professor Jean-Francois Amadieu reports "They are not only anti-vaccine pass (or anti-vax). There are other grievances on the subject of individual liberties, as well as echoes of the Yellow Vest calls for a 'citizen's initiative referendum' [to allow citizens to vet government policy proposals] and more general demands involving purchasing power."[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "French 'freedom convoys' head towards Paris police checkpoints". The Guardian. Reuters. February 11, 2022.
- ^ "Macron urges calm as French 'Freedom Convoy' motorists close in on Paris". France 24. February 11, 2022.
- ^ Lough, Richard; Paone, Antony (February 11, 2022). "Macron urges calm as French "Freedom Convoys" approach Paris". Reuters – via www.reuters.com.
- ^ "French police tear gas 'Freedom Convoy' protesters in Paris". UPI. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
- ^ Joseph Ataman; Lianne Kolirin; Mick Krever; Aliza Kassim Khalidi (10 February 2022). "Paris and Brussels ban protests linked to French 'Freedom Convoy'". CNN. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ "Paris police ban 'Freedom Convoy' protest against COVID restrictions". euronews. February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Cokelaere, Hanne (2022-02-12). "French police fine hundreds in an attempt to fend off 'freedom convoys'". Politico. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ^ Schrader, Adam (2022-02-12). "French police tear gas 'Freedom Convoy' protesters in Paris". UPI. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
- ^ "Inspired by Ottawa protests, French motorists join 'Freedom Convoy' bound for Paris". France 24. 2022-02-10. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
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