"Convoy of Freedom" is written on signs behind the windscreens and on stickers on the tailgates.

The first motorcades of opponents of the French Corona policy were expected in Paris on Friday.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has mobilized a police force of more than 7,000 men as a precaution to prevent a blockade of the capital.

Tow trucks were ready.

The protests by Canadian truckers who blocked Ottawa served as a model for the rally from different parts of the country to Paris.

Michael Wiegel

Political correspondent based in Paris.

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The French vaccination pass opponents organize themselves via Facebook groups, which are said to have joined almost 200,000 people.

They demand that the unvaccinated be given "their freedom" back.

Since January 25, unvaccinated French people have only been able to participate in public life to a limited extent.

You may not travel long-distance by bus, train or plane.

Restaurants and cafes are also not open to them.

They are also not allowed to visit cinemas, theatres, concert halls and major sporting events.

Test for a new form of protest

With the "Convoy of Freedom", the participants are trying out an alternative to the corona demonstrations in the inner cities, which were hardly noticed and attracted fewer and fewer people.

Some TV crews traveled with the "convoy".

In the interviews, participants turned out to be supporters of the right-wing extremist presidential candidate Eric Zemmour.

Still others said they wanted to vote for left-wing populist Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Mélenchon expressed sympathy for the protesters on Thursday evening.

"Of course I could support them," he said on France 2 TV. "I'll listen to what they have to say before I decide that they are antivax, fascists, anti-Semites and everything that can be said about the ' Yellow Vests' claimed," he said.

He couldn't be against people who feared for their purchasing power.

"Don't think that when the price per liter is two euros, they get into the car for the sheer pleasure of it," said Mélenchon.

He supports their demands if they are directed against the vaccination card, “because it is useless”.

Presidential candidate Marine Le Pen also expressed understanding for the protest drive.

"Wild globalization" has turned western societies into "pressure cookers" that have to let off steam from time to time.

Le Pen's former deputy Florian Philippot was pleased: "The wave (of protest) will overtake Paris."

French authorities warned of the "risk of disrupting public order" as the so-called liberty convoys threatened to "blockade the capital".

The ban on the protests should also remain in force over the weekend up to and including Monday.

The Paris police emphasized that traffic obstructions can be punished with up to two years in prison, a fine of up to 4,500 euros and a driver's license suspension.

She also threatened arrest if she violated the ban.