Thousands of people protested in Paris and other French cities against the mandatory coronavirus health passes introduced by the government in the fight against the fourth wave of infections to enter many public places.
A police spokesperson said the protesters injured three policemen in Paris. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said on Twitter that 19 demonstrators were arrested, 10 of whom were in Paris.
This is the third consecutive weekend that people opposed to President Emmanuel Macron’s new Covid-19 measures have taken to the streets.
Since the beginning of the protests, the number of demonstrators has been steadily increasing, which corresponds to the “yellow vest” campaign against fuel taxes and the cost of living that began at the end of 2018.
An official of the Ministry of the Interior said that 204,090 people were demonstrating everywhere France, Including 14,250 in Paris. This is an increase of approximately 40,000 from last week.
“We are creating an apartheid society, and I think it is incredible to do so in a human rights country,” said Anne, a teacher who demonstrated in Paris. She refused to reveal her last name.
“So I took to the streets; I have never protested in my life,” she added. “I think our freedom is in danger.”
Visitors to museums, cinemas or swimming pools have been denied entry if they cannot show their health pass Indicates that they have been fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 vaccine or have recently tested negative.
Parliament approved a new law this week that will compel health workers to vaccinate and extend health pass requirements to bars, restaurants, trade shows, trains and hospitals.
Approximately 3,000 police officers were deployed in the capital, and riot police worked hard to keep demonstrators on authorized routes.
The authorities tried to avoid a repeat of the incident that happened last week, when a scuffle broke out on the Champs Elysées between police and demonstrators.
Protesters also in other cities, including Marseille, Lyon, Montpellier, Nantes and Toulouse, chanted “Freedom!” and “Say no to the health pass!”
