Anti-health pass protests in France: update on August 7
Fourth Saturday of mobilization in Paris against health pass, this Saturday August 7, 2021. AP - Daniel Cole
Text by: RFI Follow
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It was a test day, two days before the entry into application of the new French anti-Covid system.
The mobilization against the extension of the health pass and the vaccination obligation in certain professional categories, saw a record attendance for its fourth weekly meeting, this Saturday, August 7, 2021 in France.
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Fourth weekend of mobilization everywhere in France, and participation figures still increasing, despite the holidays.
According to data transmitted by the Ministry of the Interior, about 237,000 people beat the pavement on Saturday.
Side incidents, the police recorded at 7 pm some 198 actions, identified in the territory, and 35 arrests.
At least seven police officers were slightly injured.
So at least 30,000 more protesters than last week took to the streets this weekend.
In Paris, many have assured us that they are participating in the movement for the first time.
It is the Constitutional Council, by approving in great width the project of the government, which made them switch in the procession, they say.
It took hail for the gathering to fade.
The anti #PassSanitaire demonstration ends with a hailstorm.
Yes, we are in August 😳 # manif7aout # manifestation7aout pic.twitter.com/ieVjSDdQmU
- Clément Lanot (@ClementLanot) August 7, 2021
The extension of the health pass, which will be effective from Monday in bars, restaurants, transport, etc., as well as the vaccination obligation decreed for certain professions including health personnel, has had the effect of an electric shock. for some people. They think that they will be joined by others, as soon as the concrete consequences of the law are felt in everyday life. Many predict an explosive comeback.
Demonstrations were planned in more than 150 cities across the country.
From Nice to Montpellier, throughout the south-east of France, the police registered nearly 50,000 demonstrators.
Agence France-Presse speaks of heterogeneous marches, bringing together people saying they are "pro" or "anti-vaccine", yellow vests or not.
Toulon particularly distinguished itself.
But in Aix-en-Provence, La Ciotat, Fréjus, Draguignan, according to the police and the prefectures.
Protesters did not give estimates.
In front of the Timone hospital in #Marseille, the demonstrators applaud the caregivers who do the same # demonstration7aout #conseilconstitutionnel #vaccinationobligatoire pic.twitter.com/55O3jqf8R0
- Amaury Baqué (@AmauryBaque) August 7, 2021
In Nice, the demonstrators marched behind a large banner where one could read in particular: "
the new wave is us
". In Marseille, a large procession set off from the Old Port, headed for the prefecture, and therefore the State. Great resentment towards the government will be expressed there. "Before embarking on the Canebière, the demonstrators sing a"
Macron in prison, Macron in prison
", reports AFP.
"
It is not the virus that they want to control, it is us
", we could have read on a sign in Toulouse.
Several thousand people also in Lyon or Bordeaux.
On the spot, Gaëlle Faure, 23, nurse at the city hospital, and not vaccinated, recalls: “
We worked without masks.
Six months ago at the hospital, I was told that I could come to work if I was positive and today they explain to me that if I am not vaccinated, I am a danger for the patients.
I find that scandalous!
"
Health pass: Protesters in Bellecour, first tensions with the police # Rhône #Lyon # demonstration7aout # manif7aout #manifestation #Passanitaire https://t.co/oYuHP5hGuD
- Le Progrès - Lyon (@leprogreslyon) August 7, 2021
L '
Est Républicain
evokes 1,500 people from the entire urban area of Montbéliard, and even the Jura, who "
pounded the pavement for three hours
" for "
vaccine freedom
". "
Throughout the course: caregivers of the CGT, yellow vests, members of the Liberty equality collective spoke, sometimes to demand beds" which the hospital so badly needs ", sometimes to castigate the" stigmatization "
»Unvaccinated. Places like Lons-le-Saunier, or even Saint-Claude have mobilized.
Two thousand inhabitants of Besançon found themselves at Place de la Révolution.
Besançon is already preparing for next week.
Clashes took place in Dijon.
In Vesoul, 120 demonstrators pounded the pavement with cries of "
No to manipulation, we are not sheep!"
","
Wake up!
","
Hands off our children
".
Restaurant owners have explained that they do not want to live as "
informers
".
A few caregivers, reluctant to be vaccinated, were also present in the ranks.
At #Mans, as we approach the arrival at the prefecture, the procession of opponents to the sanitary pass has grown.
There are now more than 1,000 demonstrators # manif7aout @ OuestFrance72 @OuestFrance pic.twitter.com/Tnl0KOmorG
- Pierre-Alexandre Gouyette (@PA_Gouyette) August 7, 2021
Events also in the northern part of the country, from Reims to Dunkirk, or in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
A small march took place in Cambrai, where businesses were closed to protest.
But also in Douai.
In Lille, the regional daily
La Voix du Nord
wonders: “
If restaurants do not adopt it until August 9, the pass has been in effect since July 21 in many sports and cultural facilities.
Where the record is not always very good.
»Terrace atmosphere, two days before D-Day.
In the west, ditto: in Carhaix, in Finistère, or in La Roche-sur-Yon, in Vendée, but also in Guimgamp, Saint-Brieuc, Dinan and even Lamballe, people walked.
In Calvados, train traffic was interrupted, demonstrators "
moved to Caen station and occupy the tracks
", reported
Ouest-France
.
In Lorient, nearly 200 demonstrators entered the site of the Interceltic Festival.
They were nearly a thousand in Saint-Nazaire, 5,000 in Nantes.
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