Yellow Vest agitators want insurrection to ‘overthrow the government’ – Macron spokesman

The Yellow Vest movement has become full of agitators who only want to “overthrow the government,” a spokesman for President Emmanuel Macron’s government said of the protests that gripped France since November.

Benjamin Griveaux made the comments following the government’s first Council of Ministers meeting of 2019 on Friday, as cabinet members returned from their two week Christmas break.

He addressed those “still mobilized among the Yellow Vests,” saying the movement has “become the act of agitators who want insurrection and to overthrow the government.”

Griveaux added that the government was “ready to discuss with sincere people who do not turn the difficulties of fellow countrymen into a political instrument.”

Starting last November, the leaderless Yellow Vest movement started as a series of protests against a proposed hike in fuel prices. The clashes between the police and protesters resulted in thousands arrested and hundreds injured. In early December the fuel tax increase was ditched, but the movement has since broadened its agenda to include opposition to wider policy changes proposed under Macron’s reform agenda, which critics say favor the rich while the standards of living for the majority of French citizens continue to decline. Macron promised small salary increases, but insisted the government would not yield to the pressure and continue with its course.

READ MORE: 75% of French disapprove of Macron govt, poll reveals as Yellow Vest rallies simmer

Ahead of a planned eighth national day of protest scheduled for Saturday, January 5, a collective associated with the movement penned an open letter to Macron. Calling Paris the capital of “restriction of individual liberties,” the activists said they would continue to fight inequality and police repression.

Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!