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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 01: A group of police gathers to disperse protesters during a demonstration organized by the “Gilets Jaunes’ movement on December 01, 2018 in Paris, France. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 01: A demonstrator throws back a tear gas canister shot by police forces to disperse demonstrators during a protest on the adjacent streets to the Champs Elysées called for by the “Gilets Jaunes” movement on December 01, 2018 in Paris, France. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 24: Demonstrators set a trailer on fire during a protest on the Champs Elysées called for by the "Gilets Jaunes" movement against rising fuel prices on November 24, 2018 in Paris, France. Protesters often sing the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, while confronting police forces, and chant slogans demanding the resignation of French President Emanuel Macron. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 01: A resident walks by a diplomatic car set on fire by violent extremist groups infiltrated on a protest organized by the “Gilets Jaunes” near the Champs Elysées on December 01, 2018 in Paris, France. The neighborhood around the Champs Elysées, with its concentration of high-end luxury brands and one of the world’s highest per square meter value, paints a stark contrast to the demonstrators’ frustration with President Macron’s perceived bias towards the rich. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 01: Members of the fire department put out a fire from a burning car set up on fire by extremists vandals infiltrated during a protest on the adjacent streets to the Champs Elysées called for by the “Gilets Jaunes” on December 01, 2018 in Paris, France. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 09: Thousands of Gilet Jaune protesters march in front of the Musee du Louvre during the Act 17 protest called for by the Gilets Jaunes on March 09, 2019 in Paris, France. According to the Ministry of Interior, 3000 people demonstrated in Paris today for the Act 17 protest of the Gilets Jaunes movement, which also included union representatives in red vests, kindergarten assistants in pink vests (Gilets Roses), and women demonstrating for women's rights. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 05: A Gilet Jaune (yellow vest) protester stands in front of a banner saying "dissolution" in Place de la Concorde during the general strike march on February 05, 2019 in Paris, France. Some 14,000 people (according to estimates commissioned by media organizations) demonstrated in Paris today in the midst of a general strike called for by the CGT labor union. The demonstration was joined by "Gilets Jaunes" protesters, who have been protesting against the rising cost of living in France since mid-November. Although the demonstration started off peacefully, some clashes between protesters and police forces took place, including the use of tear gas. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 24: Protesters gather behind a barricade set on fire during a protest on the Champs Elysées called for by the "Gilets Jaunes" movement against rising fuel prices on November 24, 2018 in Paris, France. People of different backgrounds and political ideologies from all over France gathered in what seems to be a clear example of the fight of a country against a government that is increasingly losing popular support. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 09: A car that has been set on fire by protesters is seen in front of the Eiffel Tower during the Act 13 demonstration called for by the Gilets Jaunes on February 09, 2019 in Paris, France. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 03: A woman walks in front of a building where messages calling for revolution and burning buildings were written during last Saturday’s protests on December 03, 2018 in Paris, France. After the violent clashes of last Saturday’s protest, the “Gilets Jaunes” has announced on social media new protests for this coming Saturday under the name of “Act 4: Insurrection.” Different groups and individuals on social media are calling for extreme violence against police forces. Last Saturday, 378 people, including 33 minors, were arrested. Photo: © Omar Havana / Al Jazeera
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 01: A protester walks in front of a group of police forces on a street adjacent to the Champs Elysées during a protest called by the “Gilets Jaunes" on December 01, 2018 in Paris, France. Hundreds of thousands of “Gilet Jaunes” (meaning “Yellow Vest” in French) have taken to the streets of France in recent weeks, which have left Paris’ famed Champs Elysée and the streets that surround it in utter chaos. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 05: Police forces charge towards protesters during the general strike march on February 05, 2019 in Paris, France. Some 14,000 people (according to estimates commissioned by media organizations) demonstrated in Paris today in the midst of a general strike called for by the CGT labor union. The demonstration was joined by "Gilets Jaunes" protesters, who have been protesting against the rising cost of living in France since mid-November. Although the demonstration started off peacefully, some clashes between protesters and police forces took place, including the use of tear gas. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 16: Police forces take positions in a midst of tear gas during clashes with protesters in "Les Invalides" during the Act 14 protest called by the Gilets Jaunes on February 16, 2019 in Paris, France. According to police, 5,000 people marched through the streets of Paris on Saturday, the first of two days of consecutive protests by the Gilets Jaunes this weekend, which marks three months since the beginning of the movement in November 2018. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 01: Police forces shoot tear gas to disperse demonstrators during a protest near the Champs Elysées called for by the “Gilets Jaunes” movement on December 01, 2018 in Paris, France. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 24: A demonstrator throws a stone at police forces during a protest on the Champs Elysées called for by the "Gilets Jaunes" movement against rising fuel prices on November 24, 2018 in Paris, France. Some 81,000 people are reported to have mobilized throughout France, including 8,000 in Paris. The French Ministry of the Interior has reported that at least eight people, including two police officers, have been injured in today’s violence. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 01: A group of police forces charge towards protesters during a demonstration organized by the “Gilets Jaunes’ movement on December 01, 2018 in Paris, France. As a result of last weekend’s violence, access to the Champs Elysées was blocked off by police barricades, forcing protestors – and the violence – to neighboring streets. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 01: A group of demonstrators throws back tear gas canisters shot by police forces to disperse demonstrators during a protest on the adjacent streets to the Champs Elysées called for by the “Gilets Jaunes” movement on December 01, 2018 in Paris, France. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 02: A "Gilet Jaune" protester shouts slogans to the police after the latter shot tear gas grenades at protesters in Place de la République during today's Act 12 demonstration on February 2019 in Paris, France. The French police has been condemned by public opinion and human rights organizations for using GLI-F4 tear gas grenades, which can and have caused serious injuries due to the fact that they are composed primarily of TNT. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 01: A group of protesters faces police forces during a demonstration on a street near the Champs Elysées called for by the “Gilets Jaunes” movement on December 01, 2018 in Paris, France. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 02: A "Gilet Jaune" protester holds a colored smoke flare in Place de la Bastille during today's Act 12 demonstration on February 2019 in Paris, France. The "Gilet Jaunes" protest movement, named after the high-visibility jackets now required to be carried in any vehicle, began on 17 November 2018, in response to rising fuel prices and taxes. Not organized by any labor unions or supported by any political parties, approximately 244,000 people began by blocking roads and causing a degree of chaos in numerous cities throughout France. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 12: A group of street medics help a photographer injured during charges by police forces in front of the Arc de Triomphe during the "Act 9" protests on January 12, 2019 in Paris, France. 24 people, including one member of the police, were injured during the protests, called "Act 9," by the Gilets Jaunes in Paris, according to French police. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 02: A police officer aims an LBD (flash ball) before firing in Place de la République during today's Act 12 demonstration on February 2019 in Paris, France. On Friday, the French Conseil d'État, a sort of legal adviser to the government, ruled against petitions filed by the Ligue des droits de l'homme (LDH) and the CGT union demanding the prohibition of the use of flash balls. The ruling argued that the use of flash balls did not constitute a limitation on the right to demonstrate and that it was necessary for law and order purposes. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 02: A "Gilet Jaune" protester is arrested by police forces in Place de la République during today's Act 12 demonstration on February 2019 in Paris, France. The Yellow Vest Protesters take to the streets for the twelfth week of anti-government protests. Protesting against the disruption caused by the Yellow Vests are the Red Scarves - or the Foulards Rouges - calling for a stop to the violence and blockades of the Gilets Jaunes.Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 02: Police forces throw tear gas grenades towards "Gilets Jaunes" protesters in Place de la République during today's Act 12 demonstration on February 2019 in Paris, France. On Friday, the French Conseil d'État, a sort of legal adviser to the government, ruled against petitions filed by the Ligue des droits de l'homme (LDH) and the CGT union demanding the prohibition of the use of flash balls. The ruling argued that the use of flash balls did not constitute a limitation on the right to demonstrate and that it was necessary for law and order purposes. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 02: A "Gilet Jaune" protester shouts slogans in Place de la République during today's Act 12 demonstration on February 2019 in Paris, France. Some 56,600 protesters of the "Gilets Jaunes" (yellow vest) movement demonstrated for the 12th consecutive Saturday in France today, including approximately 13,800 in Paris, according to independent counts commissioned by media groups. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 02: One of the Gilet Jaune leaders, Jérôme Rodrigues, stands with other protesters wearing an eye patch after having been injured during last week's protest, during today's Act 12 demonstration on February 2019 in Paris, France. Jérôme Rodrigues, one of the leaders and most well-known figures of the Gilets Jaunes movement, was severely injured during last week's protests and was hospitalized after being hit in the eye by a projectile while he was filming the protests and broadcasting it live on his Facebook page. While he claims it was a flash-ball, authorities say it was a sting-ball grenade; investigations have been opened into the case. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 09: A street medic attends to a protester injured during clashes with police forces on the Champs Elysees during the Act 13 demonstration called for by the Gilets Jaunes on February 09, 2019 in Paris, France. The Yellow Vest / Gilet Jaunes protesters have taken to the streets again for more anti-government protests. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 05: A Gilet Jaune (yellow vest) protester holds a flare while marching during the general strike march on February 05, 2019 in Paris, France. Some 14,000 people (according to estimates commissioned by media organizations) demonstrated in Paris today in the midst of a general strike called for by the CGT labor union. The demonstration was joined by "Gilets Jaunes" protesters, who have been protesting against the rising cost of living in France since mid-November. Although the demonstration started off peacefully, some clashes between protesters and police forces took place, including the use of tear gas. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 02: "Gilets Jaunes" protesters try to avoid being hit by a water cannon being used by police forces in Place de la République during today's Act 12 demonstration on February 2019 in Paris, France. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 02: Police forces gather to evacuate protesters from Place de la République during today's Act 12 demonstration on February 2019 in Paris, France. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 01: Several fires are seen on a street near Saint Lazare during a protest organized by the “Gilets Jaunes” movement on December 01, 2018 in Paris, France. People taking part in the demonstrations, which have included professional vandals (referred to as “casseurs” in French) numbering at least in the hundreds, ransacked storefronts and banks, set vehicles and buildings on fire, painted graffiti landmarks and uprooted the pavement, in neighborhoods adjacent to the Champs Elysées, the Opera and numerous other popular tourist attractions, while overwhelmed police forces launched tear gas and stun grenades, and attempted to disperse protesters with barricades and water cannons. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 05: A police officer aims an LBD (flash ball) towards protesters during the general strike march on February 05, 2019 in Paris, France. Some 14,000 people (according to estimates commissioned by media organizations) demonstrated in Paris today in the midst of a general strike called for by the CGT labor union. The demonstration was joined by "Gilets Jaunes" protesters, who have been protesting against the rising cost of living in France since mid-November. Although the demonstration started off peacefully, some clashes between protesters and police forces took place, including the use of tear gas. Photo: © Omar Havana / Getty Images
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 02: A group of "Gilets Jaunes" protesters shout slogans while one protester holds a flare in Place de la République during today's Act 12 demonstration on February 2019 in Paris, France. The march was peaceful until the arrival at the Place de la République, where clashes with police forces resulted in people injured, including some reportedly by flash balls. 33 demonstrators were also arrested throughout the day, according to the police. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 01: Members of the fire department put out a fire set on fire by extremists vandals infiltrated during a protest called for by the “Gilets Jaunes” movement December 01, 2018 in Paris, France. Several luxury clothing and jewelry stores in streets near the Champs Elysées and Boulevard Haussman were also broken into, destroyed and vandalized. Photo: © Omar Havana
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© 2021 Omar Havana
PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 01: Several fires are seen on a street near the Champs Elysées during a protest organized by the “Gilets Jaunes” movement on December 01, 2018 in Paris, France. Photo: © Omar Havana
Public Story
La Vie En Jaune
Credits:
omar havana
Date of Work:
12/01/19 - 12/25/19
Updated: 01/21/20
Hundreds of thousands of “Gilet Jaunes” (meaning “Yellow Vest” in French) have taken to the streets of France every weekend since November 17th, 2018.
During 53 consecutive weekends, French citizens from all over the country gathered in the French capital after government officials rejected to meet with them. “We do not want this, but we will keep fighting for our rights until someone from the Government will meet us,” said Antoine, a retired man from the western region of Bretagne (Brittany). “I hate violence, but this is the only way that we have to be heard, as French citizens we have that right,” he adds.
Protests by the “Gilets Jaunes” originally began in mid-November 2018 in reaction to increases in fuel prices and taxes, but have since continuously expanded to a broader and ill-defined set of demands, including the resignation of French President Emmanuel Macron. Without a leader, the “Gilets Jaunes” have mobilized people of drastically different opinions, unified mostly by their shared discontent with a rising cost life, using social media to spread calls for demonstrations.
People taking part in the demonstrations, which have included professional vandals (referred to as “casseurs” in French) numbering at least in the hundreds, have ransacked storefronts and banks, set vehicles, and buildings on fire, painted graffiti on landmarks and uprooted the pavement, in neighborhoods adjacent to the Champs Elysées, the Opera and numerous other popular tourist attractions, while overwhelmed police forces responded by launching tear gas and stun grenades and attempted to disperse protesters with barricades and water cannons.
Since the beginning of the movement, 11 people have died (but none since the end of January), mainly in road accidents. According to the Ministry of Interior, 1944 police officers and 2,495 demonstrators have been injured on the demonstrators' side, many of them as a result of the use of extreme violence by police forces who continue to use controversial LBDs, which is criticized by human rights organizations. According to a study by Mediapart, 2 people have died, 315 people have suffered head injuries, 24 people lost an eye and 5 lost hands due to police violence.
“We are a pacifist movement, we don’t like violence, and it is time for the media to make a difference between many of us and others that come here just to create chaos. Just wearing a yellow vest does not make some a yellow vest,” says Pierre, a retired Parisian. “People like me are worried about the future of our family – what future will they have? This government does not care about the people, and we won’t stop until Macron resigns. It does not matter how long it takes, but Macron is going to go, I can guarantee you that,” he concludes.
The movement continues, and more protests are announced for the coming weekends in France… Will it last through a second year?
According to a recent poll, 69 % of the French believe the “Gilets Jaunes” movement is still justified.
Photography: © Omar Havana. All Rights are Reserved
Part of this story has been published in Al Jazeera English