1968 again? The Gilets Jaunes Protests


In the worse period of social unrest in France since 1968, the "gilet jaunes" or "yellow vests" movement, which started as a protest against rising fuel taxes and cost of living, very quickly turned to encompass wider social issues, particularly the inequality of the French social system under the Macron government.


Spanning the social and political spectrums across France, the Gilets Jaunes, whose name was given after the French law that requires all drivers to carry a Gilet Jaune or Yellow Vest, has quickly grown into a movement against the President himself, with many feeling that he is arrogant and out of touch with the French Nation.


Every Saturday since November 2018 until the Covid-19 lockdown of 2020, thousands turned out across France and in the French capital to demonstrate, often experiencing excessive force from the police, with hundreds receiving life changing injuries when protests turned violent. The absence of leaders or visible political directions has made the movement unique, spanning the French political and social classes, from the left to the right of the political spectrum, growing to encompass national strikes over Pension reform, united in their dislike for President Macron and his government’s policies.

A Gilet Jaune or 'Yellow Vest' protestor in front of a burning newspaper kiosk on the Champs Elysees as Act 18 of protests, presented as an "ultimatum" to President Macron.
A 'Gilets Jaune', or 'Yellow Vest', protestor looks back at the burning barricades, during demonstrations and rioting on the Champs Elysees in Paris in the worst period of social unrest in France since 1968.
French Riot Police stand amidst clouds of tear gas near the Arc de Triomphe during Gilets Jaunes or 'Yellow Vest' violent protests on March 16, 2019 in Paris, France.
A Gilet Jaune, or yellow vest, protestor stands on top of a burning barricade and waves the French Tricolor on the Champs Elysees, Paris, during the the first demonstration by the movement in the French capital on 24 November
Gilets Jaunes, or yellow vest, protestors stand on top of a burning barricade, on the Champs Elysees during the the first demonstration by the movement in the capital on the Champs Elysees in Paris on 24 November, 2018.
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 16, 2019: French Riot Police fire tear gas on the Champs Elysees as Act 18 of Gilets Jaunes or 'Yellow Vest' protests turn violent with widespread rioting and looting on March 16, 2019 in Paris, France.
French fireman extinguish burning vehicles left by 'Gilets Jaunes' or Yellow Vest protestors near the Champs Elysees, as thousands take to the streets in the French capital to protest against the rising fuel and living costs.
PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 20, 2019: French Riot Police stand in front of a row of burning vehicles during widespread rioting, violence and fire in Act 23 of Gilets Jaunes or Yellow Vest protests in Paris, five days after the fire
A protestor in the 3rd act of the French 'Gilets Jaunes' protest lifts his shirt to reveal the mark from a police LBD Rubber Bullet round as thousands turned out in violent protest in the French capital on December 1st 2018.
A French CRS Policeman looks on at protestors on the Champs Elysees on December 15, 2018 in Paris, France. The protesters gathered in Paris for a 5th weekend despite President Emmanuel Macron's concessions.
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 16, 2019: A French fireman fights the fire in the burning Longchamp store on the Champs Elysees as Act 18 of Gilets Jaunes protests, presented as an "ultimatum" to President Macron, turn violent with widespread looting and rioting
PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 8, 2018: A Gilet Jaune runs through a barricade which is on fire near the Champs Elysees on December 8, 2018 in Paris, France, in the worst period of social unrest in France since 1968.
A Gilet Jaune or Yellow Vest protestor is detained as French Police clear the streets of 'Gilets Jaunes' protestors on the Champs Elysees during the 5th weekend of protests on December 15, 2018 in Paris, France.
French Riot Police grab a Gilet Jaune protestor amidst clouds of tear gas during violent confrontations at Place de la République, as thousands take to the streets of Paris to protest against rising cost of living in France.
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