French anti-vaccine protests demonstrate for the sixth weekend

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French protests against the country’s health card continued on Saturday for the sixth consecutive weekend, with tens of thousands marching in Paris and other cities in opposition to the new vaccination requirements implemented for various public activities.

Reuters reported that a total of about 175,000 people gathered on Saturday across France. The photos and videos distributed on social media showed demonstrations, mostly without masks, with posters with phrases such as “Liberté” and “Libérons la France” or “Free France”.

Around 200 different protests were held across the country on Saturday, although the total number of protesters fell from last weekend, when authorities registered about 215,000 protesters.

Reuters noted, however, that the figures could rise next week as more residents return from summer travel.

Protesters called for Saturday French President Emmanuel MacronEmmanuel Jean-Michel Macron The Hill’s Sustainability Report: In Haiti, a fight to bury the victims of the Biden earthquake denies that the Allies question the credibility of the United States in the middle of the withdrawal from Afghanistan Biden promises to complete the Afghan evacuation, but admits MORE risks to abolish vaccination permits, with protesters in Paris chanting, “Macron! We don’t want your pass!” according to the Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The protests have attracted people from across the political spectrum in France, with Reuters that the largest demonstration in Paris was led by far-right politician Florian Philippot. Another demonstration was led by left-wing protesters linked to the “Yellow Vests” movement (Yellow Vests).

France’s COVID-19 health permits, which officially went into effect earlier this month, include a QR code that different companies and events can scan as official documentation indicating that a person has received the coronavirus vaccine or which has recently been negative in COVID-19.

Health permit requirements are being applied to restaurants, museums, sports venues and other public places across the country.

While the majority of French citizens support health permits and approximately 62 per cent of the country’s population has been completely vaccinated, a contrary-to-requirements vocal minority has taken to the streets since the measure was introduced.

The French government has defended the health permit as a way to increase vaccinations across the country, especially because unvaccinated people make up the vast majority of recent coronavirus hospitalizations.

AFP noted on Saturday that Jewish groups and anti-racist campaigns have denounced some protesters who have displayed slogans and symbols, including yellow stars, in attempts to compare the health pass with the treatment of Jews under the Nazi regime.

The left-wing newspaper Le Monde condemned the actions of some protesters and wrote this week in an editorial: “Although the anti-Semitism of the far right is old, it seems that right now it is encouraged by the increase of conspiratorial thought “.

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