On Saturday, protests against sanitary passes took place in many French cities. Over 200,000 people gathered throughout the country. The demonstrators, in their opinion, opposed the “health terror” introduced by the passes.
In Paris, Marseille, Lyon and dozens of other cities, demonstrators marched chanting “freedom” and slogans against President Macron and the media promoting the use of sanitary passes introducing “health terror.” Four out of ten French people support the demonstrations against the health pass, according to a poll published on Friday.
Paris. They are under arrest
In the main demonstration in Paris, thousands of demonstrators seized the Place de la Bastille, where several hundred people refused to separate, jostled with the police who used tear gas missiles, water cannons.
According to the first assessment provided by the French Ministry of the Interior, there were 19 arrests, including 10 in Paris. Three members of the security forces were injured in Paris – they handed over the services.
More than 3,000 policemen and gendarmes were mobilized to oversee the demonstrations a week after demonstrators entered Avenue Champs-Elysées, access to which was blocked on Saturday.
Paris. Protests against sanitary passesPAP / EPA / CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
Demonstrations in other cities
In Rennes, the demonstration attracted 2,900 people, compared to 2,200 last Saturday. In Rennes, the AFP agency recorded slogans: “Vaccinate me against fascism and capitalism” or “Media liars! We want the truth.”
In the south-eastern cities, the authorities counted more than 20,000 people, mainly in Montpellier (8,500) and Nice (6,500). “The president, MPs, senators, scientists, journalists, you are all cowards,” proclaimed one of the banners, another: “I am neither a guinea pig, nor a QR code.”
Protests in FrancePAP / EPA / CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
In Lille, over 2,000 people, including a number of “yellow vests”, marched chanting “freedom” and “health pass – we don’t want it, authoritarian pass – we don’t want.”
Sanitary passes
The health pass, requiring the submission of a full COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a recent negative test, was finally approved last Sunday in the French Parliament and is mandatory for people going to places of culture and entertainment. An extension of the use of the Health Pass in cafes, shops, exhibitions, restaurants and trains is scheduled for August 9.
Main photo source: PAP / EPA / CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON