'Yellow Vests' defy Macron for sixth consecutive week, death toll reaches 10

With the death toll from recent clashes reaching 10, the "Yellow Vest" protesters have taken to the streets across France for a sixth consecutive week in a challenge to the government of President Emmanuel Macron.

The largely peaceful Saturday protests brought together 800 people in the capital Paris at about 1100 GMT. The figure was much lower compared to the 4,000 tally of last week, according to police.

Local sources say protesters have adapted to the police’s heavy-handed tactics, dispersing into smaller groups to avoid being cornered off by security forces.

Large demonstrations were also reported in many other locations across France, including the cities of Rouen, Caen, Montpellier, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Lille and Nimes.

Earlier today, a man died at a "Yellow Vest" street blockade in southern France, which raised the protest-related death toll to 10. Authorities claim the death was due to a traffic accident.

The French Interior Ministry has claimed 23,800 people participated in this Saturday’s protests. Paris police said 65 had been arrested, including prominent Yellow Vest figure Eric Drouet.

'Yellow Vests are here to stay'

Speaking to Press TV, researcher and journalist Joe Quinn said Macron's concessions have failed to "fool" the French public.

According to numerous polls conducted after Macron cancelled his planned fuel-tax hike on December 10, about half of the public believes Macron's concessions were not meaningful enough and that the movement should continue.

The new polls, nonetheless, do mark a relative decline in the movement. About 70 percent had expressed support for the "Yellow Vests" before Macron's speech.

Many mainstream media outlets have, however, been quick to declare that the movement has faltered, alienating many within the French public.

Images emerged Saturday showing protesters' frustration at the French media's portrayal of the movement, with reporters working for France 3, the country's second largest public television channel, being ejected from an assembly.

French politician Christian Lechevalier slammed reports claiming the movement's decline, highlighting that protesters have maintained their presence in roundabouts across France for about two months.

Earlier this week, the movement pushed French police unions close to a nationwide strike. The unions had complained of unpaid salaries and difficult working conditions for officers overseeing the protests.

The French government offered on Tuesday to give a €300 bonus to the deployed officers. It was not clear though if the proposed bonus would be enough to calm the growing frustration within police ranks.

"We are not for sale and we can't be bought. It's certainly not with this bonus that the crisis will be resolved," said Unite-SG Police FO union member Yves Lefebvre.

On Thursday, about a hundred police officers staged a protest in Paris.

Images have also emerged showing protesting police units expressing solidarity with the "Yellow Vests."

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