France: At least 32 arrested in a new Saturday of protests by the "yellow vests"

In addition, the Police have reported 21 verbal warnings and 12,000 preventive controls in the capital on the occasion of Act XX of the “yellow vests.” Meanwhile, in Montpellier, two policemen were injured during the demonstration when they were hit by objects thrown by the participants. The authorities estimate 1,650 concentrated protesters, while the organizers estimate 2,500 attendees. On the other hand, in Bordeaux and despite the fact that the demonstration was prohibited, thousands of “yellow vests” have gathered around the Plaza de the Republic and despite the initial calm, there have been moments of tension when the Police have tried to disperse the protesters. There has also been tension in Avignon, where the demonstration was also prohibited and there are reports of people who have been imposed a A fine of 135 euros for participating in a prohibited event. For this Act XX of the “yellow vests” 12,000 policemen and gendarmes have been mobilized throughout France to prevent riots like the ones that occurred two weeks ago in Paris. As happened last week, the members of the anti-terrorist military device Operation Sentinel have also been mobilized.In Paris, the Prefecture has issued a decree to prohibit all demonstrations on the Champs Elysees and its surroundings, including the Plaza de la Estrella and a perimeter which includes the Elysee Palace and the National Assembly. The measure has been repeated in cities such as Toulouse, Avignon, Rouen, Epinal, Saint-Etienne or Bordeaux.The mobilizations of the “yellow vests” began in November to protest against the increase in diesel taxes and in December they reached their peak with protests against the repression of demonstrations to the point that French President Emmanuel Macron announced a package of economic averages to improve the living conditions of the middle and working class.