The Yellow Peril

[Allan]

I have just heard that a charity food collection scheduled tomorrow has been cancelled (Martyn please note)because the commercial centre at Claira is once again going to be blocked off by the Gilets Jaunes. The disadvantaged will be the ones to suffer.

This protest staggers me, one section of the population seems to be demonstrating by declaring war on everybody else. My wife went to Jeff de Bruges yesterday and was told that last Saturday, they had one customer - what on earth has a chocolate shop got to do with the tax on fuel.

The protesters seem to be going out of their way to prove that they can bring the country to a standstill and seem indifferent to the cost, inconvenience and distress caused to everyone else. Their goal seems to be anarchy and I get the feeling that their organisation has been taken over by a collection of anarchists and dissidents or those who just feel that it is fun to bring the place to a standstill.

What really astounds me is the general acceptance of it all, I know that protest is the national sport in France and that everybody wants fuel, and everything else for that matter to be cheaper but there seems to be a complete disregard of the rule of law where protests are concerned.

I cannot see how it can be legal to erect barricades on public roads or burn autoroute toll booths, but there seems no political will to enforce the law for the benefit of the majority.

[Kate]

721EA5C1-71C4-477B-BB05-BAF29BC3FA8B.jpeg

Not sure if this attachment is going to work but if you can see it, it is a flyer being handed out by the gilets jaunes. My worry is.....who is JE?

[martyn94]

I have just heard that a charity food collection scheduled tomorrow has been cancelled (Martyn please note)because the commercial centre at Claira is once again going to be blocked off by the Gilets Jaunes. The disadvantaged will be the ones to suffer.

This protest staggers me, one section of the population seems to be demonstrating by declaring war on everybody else. My wife went to Jeff de Bruges yesterday and was told that last Saturday, they had one customer - what on earth has a chocolate shop got to do with the tax on fuel.

The protesters seem to be going out of their way to prove that they can bring the country to a standstill and seem indifferent to the cost, inconvenience and distress caused to everyone else. Their goal seems to be anarchy and I get the feeling that their organisation has been taken over by a collection of anarchists and dissidents or those who just feel that it is fun to bring the place to a standstill.

What really astounds me is the general acceptance of it all, I know that protest is the national sport in France and that everybody wants fuel, and everything else for that matter to be cheaper but there seems to be a complete disregard of the rule of law where protests are concerned.

I cannot see how it can be legal to erect barricades on public roads or burn autoroute toll booths, but there seems no political will to enforce the law for the benefit of the majority.

But what else, exactly, would you do if you want (for the sake of argument) to enforce a complete U-turn on one of the government’s “flagship” policies? If you are on or near the SMIC, I imagine that you see Jeff de Bruges more as a provocation than an object of sympathy. Violent protest has a track record down here going back to at least the Wine Revolt of 1907. And not without success (even without the help of Facebook).

[rogb]

I agree with Allan. Watching from afar in the UK, and putting aside the violence of recent days, it seems that the police have just stood by and permitted the GJs to delay people on the roads for hours or even days wherever and however they like, all in the name of 'making themselves heard' with the government. Apparently these tactics carry majority support in France.

Incidentally does anyone know if taxis are still operating in Perpignan? We have to get from the station to the airport later this week.

[martyn94]

I agree with Allan. Watching from afar in the UK, and putting aside the violence of recent days, it seems that the police have just stood by and permitted the GJs to delay people on the roads for hours or even days wherever and however they like, all in the name of 'making themselves heard' with the government. Apparently these tactics carry majority support in France.

Incidentally does anyone know if taxis are still operating in Perpignan? We have to get from the station to the airport later this week.

So just how much more of “the violence of recent days” are you prepared to tolerate if you want the CRS to play whack-a-mole with these guys all around greater Perpignan, and all around every other no-hope medium-sized town in France? And where are you going to find the CRS to do it? It takes a few thousand of them to secure a small part of central Paris.

[Kate]

@RogB Would strongly advise booking taxi in advance.

Just reading that tear gas (gaz lacrymogène) was used by ‘les forces de l’ordre’ in Perpignan yesterday in response to stones and missiles being thrown at them. The slippery slope? Can’t help thinking that some of these people are rather enjoying the new ‘powers’ they have to stop and direct traffic, affect people’s daily lives.....

[Gus Morris]

It's a shame that the concept of "The Queen's Highway" does not exist here. Also the idea that every right has a corresponding responsibility.

Gus

[martyn94]

@RogB Would strongly advice booking taxi in advance.

Just reading that tear gas (gaz lacrymogène) wasused by ‘les forces de l’ordre’ in Perpignan yesterday in response to stones and missiles being thrown at them. The slippery slope? Can’t help thinking that some of these people are rather enjoying the new ‘powers’ they have to stop and direct traffic, affect people’s daily lives.....

But isn’t that the whole story? Lots of people who have never had any power to affect anyone’s lives, especially their own, now find that they can. It must be intoxicating. If you’ve been following the French media, diesel prices are now well down the list: they want to start with the Constitution, and Macron’s head, and work down from there.

The come-down will be a bit sad, if the CRS let them come out alive. Perhaps it would be kindest if they didn’t.