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It was a year ago almost to the day, November 17, 2018, the "yellow vests" invested roundabout French for what would be the act 1 of their movement. A mobilization that originated in the rise in fuel taxes and which, over the weeks, has turned into a much more global movement, with demands broadening to questions of purchasing power and democracy.
Twelve months later, there is still a world of yellow parades in the streets of Paris this Saturday, November 9. Act 52 brought together only a hundred or so people in the capital, but for those present, it was out of the question to break the deadlock. " I'm here every Saturday, " says Didier, retired. " The government is staying the course, as it says. Even if we made the revolution, it would not move. This "yellow vest" of the first hour therefore believes that he must continue to " maintain the pressure " to hear the demands of the movement. " Increase purchasing power, close the Elysee and end the monarchy : our demands are simple. We must introduce the RIC . The "citizens' initiative referendum" is one of the demands that emerged later, with the aim of involving citizens more in public life.
This is also the example of the evolution of "yellow vests", a movement that has changed. The main demand at the beginning, the elimination of the increase in fuel taxes, had indeed been obtained fairly quickly, since Emmanuel Macron had won the Yellow Vests just a month after the start of the mobilization. This did not prevent them from continuing to gather, week after week, act after act . " A platform of claim has been put in place, " explains Priscillia Ludosky, one of the initiators of the movement. " Four major components were highlighted : democracy, with the introduction of more tools to enable citizens to participate in decision-making, ecology, with a real consideration of climate change and climate change. the implementation of socially just measures, the lack of public services and tax inequalities ".
► Also to listen: yellow vests: portraits of an angry France
Today, the "yellow vests" believe that the account is not there. The first anniversary of the movement will have its act 53. Far from the roundabouts, the call was launched for a national gathering in Paris, with the mobilization for stake. Jérôme Rodrigues , one of the figures of the movement, is optimistic: " we feel an emulation that is created. We are in the process of setting up logistics for bedding, accommodation and transportation of people to the capital. I have the feeling that it looks a little like the atmosphere with the March 16th demonstration. Act 18 then gathered several tens of thousands of people on the Champs-Elysees during a demonstration that had seen the degradation of the Arc de Triomphe. " I do not make the parallel with that, " continues Jerome Rodrigues, " I'm talking about the affluence we could have. People are very motivated and I think we will have a good convergence of citizens and hardworking people. "
Towards the convergence of struggles?
Convergence, the word is dropped, it is indeed the great questioning of this act 53. The hospital staff demonstrated in number Thursday, November 14, there will be the big day of national strike in transport on December 5 . Can these movements and that of "yellow vests" be found together in the street? The unions do not want it, but Jean-Luc, "yellow vest" also from the first hour, hopes that the base will see things differently: " there are of course demands specific to each trade, such as hardness for example, but we are united on the majority of demands on purchasing power, social equity, the reinstatement of the wealth tax. We are all on almost all claims. "
The "yellow vests" hope that the answer will be given on the Champs-Elysees. If they succeed, it will be the first time since the act 18 that they will manifest in number.