The shouts of the demonstrators can be heard from afar: “Liberté, liberté!”.

As the crowd passes by the Chambéry train station, it becomes clear what “freedom” is meant.

People don't wear masks and they hold up posters that say, “No vaccination”.

A woman who introduces herself as Evelyne yells into the megaphone: “I am accusing the government of violating our civil liberties.

I want the right back to live normally.

I want to take my granddaughter to the swimming pool without a health passport.

I want to go to a restaurant without being vaccinated.

I don't want to be blackmailed ”.

“Freedom, freedom,” replies the speaking choir.

The banners say “No to the health pass” and “I am not a QR code”.

Michaela Wiegel

Political correspondent based in Paris.

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Since July 21st, the French have had to identify themselves with a “health pass” in order to go to the cinema, theater, concert or swimming pool. The “pass sanitaire” summarizes the proof of a complete vaccination or a simple vaccination upon recovery. Instead, those who have not been vaccinated must show a negative test result. Soon the health pass will be extended to cafes, restaurants, bars and long-distance travel by train, bus or plane.

In Chambéry, the march will almost never end.

The local newspaper "Dauphiné Libéré" wrote on Sunday that a good 5,000 demonstrators had gathered, according to the police.

In the middle of the summer holidays, almost a tenth of the city with a population of over 50,000 is on its feet.

The so-called anti-Vax movement has mobilized people all over the country, although a “delta wave” is sweeping across France and the number of infections is rising rapidly.

The founder of the vaccination app “Vite ma dose”, Guillaume Rozier, has calculated that if the number of infections continues to grow, 343,000 people will be infected every day in three weeks.

But the fear of new congestion in the hospitals and new deaths does not challenge the anti-Vax movement.

Macron admonishes protesters

According to the Interior Ministry, 11,000 protested in Paris; across the country there were 161,000 on Saturday. From Tahiti, 15,000 kilometers away, where he is visiting, President Emmanuel Macron appealed to his compatriots to be aware of their responsibility. “Freedom is always based on reciprocity,” he warned. “If you infect your father or mother tomorrow, then you are a victim of your freedom. We have the opportunity to protect ourselves and others, ”said Macron. "What they are asking for is not freedom, but egoism and irresponsibility," he said against the anti-vaccination team.

Not only on the streets is there resistance to the change in the law, which was approved in the first reading by the National Assembly on Friday night. The senators have made major changes to the draft. So they want to exclude minors from the health passport and not extend the passport requirement until September 15 to all people who receive an audience. This refers to waiters, salespeople or hairdressers. The second chamber of parliament also changed the requirement to check the health passport on outdoor terraces of cafés and restaurants. In view of the low risk of infection outdoors, this is not necessary. With a majority of 199 votes and 123 votes against, the Senate adopted the amended bill on Sunday night. Now a mediation committee has to clarify what happens next.The ambitious schedule of President Macron, who wanted to introduce the health passport in the catering and transport sectors as early as August 1st, has gotten out of hand.