Yellow Vest organizers called for nationwide protests in France on Oct. 24, citing household costs and public services and demanding the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron.
The group’s appeal points to the cost of fuel, groceries and rent, along with wages. It calls for protection of the right to demonstrate and a ban on dispersal grenades and LBD launchers against demonstrators.
The call follows Oct. 17 demonstrations over living costs and school conditions, after which France’s Interior Ministry reported nearly 2,400 arrests linked to the protests.
Benjamin Ball, a website editor, told Agence France-Presse that organizers had initially focused on Nov. 5 but added the October dates after calls for an earlier protest.
Five unions have issued a separate call for Nov. 5. UNSA, CFDT, CGT, FO and FSU are urging a national strike and demonstrations, citing pay and public services as well as employment and industry. The Yellow Vest group’s calendar also lists an action for Nov. 5.
