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Tear gas, arrests, seized cars on 1st day of French 'Freedom Convoy'

Sunday, 13 February 2022 12:10 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 13 February 2022 2:37 AM ]

Ramin Mazaheri

Press TV, Paris

Tens of thousands of people marched nationwide while an estimated 3,000 cars converged on Paris for a “Freedom Convoy,” emulating the anti-government movement in Ottawa.

The convoy was led by France’s Yellow Vests, who resumed their Saturday marches in October, and also included some of the long-running protesters against a vaccination smart pass so strict it’s been called a de facto vaccine mandate. Equally important for protesters was expressing long-running disapproval of President Emmanuel Macron and his right-wing socioeconomic policies.

The French government responded by flooding Paris with over 7,000 police, who waged yet another violent crackdown on peaceful protests. Dozens were arrested, hundreds of fines were issued, tear gas was constant on the famed Champs-Elysees Avenue and cars were impounded.

In order to prevent the Freedom Convoy from implanting itself, the capital was locked down in many areas, something Paris saw every Saturday for over 6 months in late 2018 and early 2019.

The Freedom Convoy may have already wrested a concession: the government announced plans to abolish the pass at the end of March. Many called the timing curious, as that would be just before voters first go to the polls on April 10.

Protesters say they expect more attempts at an Ottawa-style “Freedom Convoy” no matter how repressed this one has been. It’s possible the French election campaign of 2022 has just begun.

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