Protests in France on first anniversary of ‘Yellow Vests’

French “yellow vest” protesters began a series of nationwide demonstrations on Saturday in a bid to show the government they can still muster support on the first anniversary of their movement.

France24 reports that numbers attending the protests and levels of violence have sharply diminished in recent months from the height of the movement, which began on November 17 last year with a giant Paris protest that drew almost 300,000 people.

But the yellow vests want the actions on Saturday — their traditional day for protests — and also Sunday — the anniversary day — to show President Emmanuel Macron they remain a force to be reckoned with.

Paris police reported 24 arrests by 10.50 AM (0950 GMT) after incidents involving police using teargas and demonstrators setting fires.

Several metro stations were closed in the capital and police were deployed in numbers, especially along the Champs-Elysees, which was again closed off to demonstrators following the ransacking of shops that followed a protest last March.

Via France 24