Watch Yellow Vests Protesters Rally in Paris for Act XXIII
Yellow Vests demonstrators are taking to streets for the 23rd round of protests that have been rocking the county since mid-November. A major demonstration is set to take place in the capital city of Paris.
The police have warned protesters to stay away from the Notre Dame cathedral area Saturday in the wake of a deadly blaze that erupted there on Monday.
That same day, President Emmanuel Macron was supposed to unveil measures to quell the protests, but had to cancel the announcement due to the Notre Dame tragedy.
The French president is yet to reveal a new date for his address.
These protests that initially erupted over a government plan to raise fuel taxes, have been ongoing in the country since mid-November. The authorities subsequently abandoned their fuel tax increase and have since provided several other concessions, but the Yellow Vests continue to gather in cities across France.
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19:53
Number of Protesters Across France Rises to 27,900
The French Interior Ministry has updated the number of people taking part in the Sunday rally, saying that the total number of protesters amounts to 27,900, with some 9,000 protesting in Paris.
19:03
‘Humans More Important Than Stones’: Protesters Grieve Notre Dame Blaze, But Say There are More Important Problems on the Table
According to the protesters, one of the main impetuses of today’s protest is the situation around the recent blaze in Notre Dame. Although most of the protesters are saddened by Monday’s incident, they think that the authorities are out of touch with the problem of the poor and the reconstruction of the historic site isn’t the only problem France needs to solve.
“I think what happened at Notre Dame is a great tragedy but humans should be more important than stones. And if humans had a little bit more money, they too could help finance the reconstruction work at Notre Dame. I find this disgusting,” protester Jose Fraile told the Associated Press.
16:58
More Than 100 Arrested Amid Protests
As of 15:00 (13:00 GMT) police have arrested 110 protesters, while the authorities have called on people to “dissociate themselves from violent groups” attacking the police and burning garbage, and scooters.
Scene moments ago in #Paris as #ActeXXIII of the #GiletsJaunes protest gets underway. World leaders take note: when you strip people of their living standards, dignity, and national sovereignty – THIS is the inevitable result.
Vive la France!! #YellowVests pic.twitter.com/8RIAD8PAIZ— Simply Beautiful (@SimplyBeautific) April 20, 2019
