Some words about Paris protests (“Yellow vests” / “Gilets Jaunes”) (1)
I have received messages from several of you wondering if I was fine. I’d like to thank you for your thoughts. I am fine so as my family and friends.
And here are some of my thoughts about what’s going on in some parts of Paris :
The protests are very spectacular but take place in confined neighbourhoods of Paris only. (They take place in many other locations all over France too)
Most of the city, most Parisians, though really concerned (alike me) by the current (violent) events, can carry on with their everyday life in a quiet atmosphere.
I feel as a citizen and can’t be indifferent to what’s going on. I feel committed in what’s going on in my city, my country, and in the rest of the world too
But so many media have already communicated about these events already…. What could I say more ?
… But finally, I chose to write a few words about all what’s going on… The media are showing and focusing on what’s worst and are making the world think that the whole city is on fire and that everything in Paris is destroyed…
Which is not the case… at all…. Though I would never minimize the violence… which is real.
This protest movement which at the start, was meant to be a social protest, finally looks quite antisocial to me. This protests are supported by the far right that try to highjack the protest for political purpose
Infiltrated by far right people, by people causing material damages, engaged in looting. Shops are destroyed and looted. People , protesters (and police too…), are put in danger.
Owners, and small and medium sized business owners are going to face huge expense to rehabilitate the place. The city of Paris (several million euros) and others French cities and locations too. Some companies and shops will just close down and numerous people, the same that are suffering for the same reason than the protesters, will soon be unemployed. It’s the defamation or the representative democracy.
A leaderless protest, some fighting one another, no main thrust, no representative, a protest with no banner. Difficult to negotiate and communicate with a heteroclite group with no banner… However, a few individuals have wanted to negotiate with the political representatives.
The people who has expressed the willing to encounter members of the government as to express their claims have been harshly threaten by other protesters.
Now that they have obtained the suppression of fuel taxes, some express the will of the president’s demission (sometimes asking even worse…). Finally, the claims are going off in all directions, under the banner of no one, associated to the far right with acts of destruction and looting…
Not that I support Macron ‘s politics. We could have surely expected better and not that I’m happy with the tax policy. France have (among ?) the highest taxes in whole Europe. And many people and companies are suffocating. But it’s not something new… It is not an issue that only goes back a few years.
The group phenomenon (started on social media) has generated a public hysteria, Macron’s inappropriate words has probably participated at crank up the conflict. The media too, too often primarily concerned with their audience … I wouldn’t support this hysteria…
Jacques Lacan (2) , French psychoanalyst once wrote : « Ce que vous aspirez comme révolutionnaires, c’est à un maître. Vous l’aurez ».
” What you aspire to as revolutionaries is a master. You will get one.”
This was in 1968 and at this time people were fighting for their ideal, for more liberty and a less patriarchal society, and they were not looting… However, I hope we won’t have this master. This is what may happen if the majority of the public opinion (and this is what’s seems to be…) carries on supporting these “protests”… No Master please. Better people educated as to make them citizens, thinking people, not followers. No obedients/followers.
Thank you for reading these few words and I apologize if my writing is too clumsy (which actually is another proof that I’m French…!). And thanks again for following my Facebook posts
Writing this article was not my first project after such a long time without writing any article (my previous plan was to write an article about Bookstalls in Paris !!) but … the events helping…
Below, some photos of Paris’ quiet neighborhoods, as they were this weekend, including my neighborhood (Paris 14)
(1) I guess that if some French read by chance this note, I may not be complimented nor get some new French friends…… !
(2) Jacques Lacan was a French psychoanalyst and psychiatrist (1901 – 1881), who has been called “the most controversial psycho-analyst since Freud”.
I believe that the Metro and the buses are operating in most of the city.
Bonsoir Ann merci for the artlice . I agree with you the media does blow things out of porpotion and I think it’s sad to make us see only the negative. I’m so glad that you and your family are safe . I’m so glad to you posted this article Ann I hope everyone reads it so they can really see and understand what’s truly happening at this moment!! I love paris and will always love paris it my love my happy place !!! Merci Ann Jeanne for such a great article!!! Perfectly said and very well written merci Clara
Thank you for this thoughtful insight! As a single woman who has walked with you – I appreciate you stressing that Paris is safe for those that walk smartly!
Glad your safe hate what is going on in beautiful Paris, Violence is never the answer. Not knowledable about tax situation so no comment except. None likes them and they keep going up.
Ann Jeane…
Delighted to receive your post and the information. Have come to realize that some people do not know the “size” of Paris, nor do they understand the geography of the city. You are safe and so pleased. No offense at either your information or your delivery.
Look forward to your future posts…
ann (Southwest of US)
I feel when we in the US have a group that is against something things become similar as in Paris. People come from other states and start trouble, it becomes more political. That doesn’t everywhere but sometimes that is all one sees and hears from the media.
Merci Ann for reading my article
It’s really weird for me because as an American who despises OUR far right, I couldn’t help but feel judgemental about France’s far right–especially the yellow jackets. My husband, who was born and raised in Paris and I were there for the first weekend of the manifestation. I was surprised more, at my American friends for sending me text messages to see if I was ok due to the “dangerous” “riots”. And while I was thankful that my friends showed concern for my well-being, I was incredibly angry at the American press for reporting how “dangerous” the so-called “riots” were.
Being in the sixth add, we were out of the protesting loop. However, there were strong feelings.
First of all, I can understand how people were upset with the taxes put on petrol. In my most humble opinion, Macron should have raised the taxes on ….cigarettes. But that’s another issue.
Protests are fine. And it’s fair to allow people to voice their opinions. But–to do so with destroying shops and businesses is just wrong on every level. This is the time for holidays–and Paris has many tourists and locals who want to enjoy the city, give the shop and boutique owners their business for Christmas and these far right people had to ruin it. I equate them with Trump supporters. The contingent who are undereducated and feel that everyone is against them.
Again. I am not a French citizen so I may be overstepping my boundaries with my opinion. But I call it as I see it with no bullshit.
Things need to change for the middle class but not in a violent way.
Other than that–I agree with everything you wrote.
Thanks for the article Anne Jeanne. I’m glad you and yours are safe and many parts of the city are “business as usual”, and calm, (I saw a video of the peaceful and playful protest in the Place de Bastille – a bit of irony there). I read that the destructive and counter-productive violence was fueled by elements of the extreme left as well as the extreme right. I hope and pray that France, (and all of Europe), finds it’s way to a bright and prosperous future for all, but the people must first be listened to, and perhaps new things tried, (thinking “out of the box” is how we phrase it here).
Thanks for the article Anne Jeanne. I’m glad you and yours are safe and many parts of the city are “business as usual”, and calm, (I saw a video of the peaceful and playful protest in the Place de Bastille – a bit of irony there). I read that the destructive and counter-productive violence was fueled by elements of the extreme left as well as the extreme right. I hope and pray that France, (and all of Europe), finds it’s way to a bright and prosperous future for all, but the people must first be listened to, and perhaps new things tried, (thinking “out of the box” is how we phrase it here).
Thank you very much for your insight. Plus some lovely photographs to make my day ❣️
Merci, Ann Jeanne pour ces mots!
People with holidays planned in Paris have asked if they should still go…bien sûr! As you say, the protests are staged in certain areas of town. We have faced the same sorts of protests in Portland & Seattle here on the west coast but it certainly doesn’t mean the entire City is unsafe.
I would be happy to switch leaders….
Alors, Joyeux Noël.
Nancy in Oregon
Ann Jeanne I am fully in agreement with you in denouncing the dangers of this uprising. But not only the far right is trying to hijack the discontent , Also so the far left . Commiseration is out of place,because nothing can excuse violence and extremism. And the whole movement is violent and extremist with various levels.
Thanks Ann Jeanne! Your article gives some perspective to the events in Paris and other areas of France. As you said, the media always focuses on the worst. It’s too bad that legitimate protests have been co-opted by violent hooligans.
Peggy B
Thank you for writing this article! I am a former TV News Correspondent and I have covered protests and demonstrations around the world and sometimes they have become violent.
The protests themselves are generally always confined to a small area.
Thank you for showing that life goes on elsewhere because it does and while the issues are complex and valid, this too will pass. But the physical damage does have long term repercussions and often hurt the very people the protesters are protesting for!
Le fou américain qui réside à la Maison-Blanche est heureux de voir quelque chose, n’importe quoi, se produire, où que ce soit dans le monde, qui va distraire l’esprit des gens de son idiotie un instant ou trois. Paris fait ça.
Nous sommes totalement indifférents (dans des limites raisonnables)! Nous vous verrons pour notre promenade la semaine prochaine!
À bientôt!
The American fool who resides in the White House is pleased to see something, anything, happening, anywhere in the world, that will take peoples’ minds from his idiocy for a moment or three. Paris does that.
We are totally unconcerned (within reason)! We will see you for our walk next week!
See you soon!
Thank you for your comments.I love Paris and hope some kind of equilibrium can be reached soon..that meets the needs of those in want,but eschews these violent methods.
( of course we have those issues in the US)
Thank you for the insight of what is rally going on there. i however am very sad about all the disruption. its always good to hear your perspective. Stay safe!
Thank you Ann Jeanne. The news I watch was very clear that these were not going on daily. I think they said it was at least a week since the last one.
Jeanne Marie in California.
Ann thank you for writing this post. I don’t understand the politics of what is happening in France, especially Paris – but it is good to know that you and your family are not affected by the disruptions and destruction.
with regards,
Gai & Neil
Merci Gai et Neil ! 🙂
No, not daily Jeanne Marie. It has been every Saturdays during the past month and may be next Saturday (15th of December) again….
Ann Jeanne
Thank you for reading my article Yolanda and for your thought
Yes Andrew, See you soon !
I fear next Saturday won’t be the best Saturday to be around the Champs Elysées. But the rest of the city should be fine.
And on Monday, it should be perfectly fine
A bientôt
Ann Jeanne
A nouveau : Merci pour votre Français ! Cela fait plaisir !
A très bientôt
Ann Jeanne
Merci for your comment Yes, probably the far left as well …
Merci for your comment Nancy Yes,although some neighborhoods must be avoided currently on saturdays, most neighborhood stay quiet
Ann Jeanne
Thank you for reading ma article Philomena I am glad you enjoyed the photos too !
Ann Jeanne
Thank you for reading my article Mark and for your thought
Yes probably both the far right and far left…
Hope the situation will improve soon Thnking out of the box : words which express perfectly what the expression means !! Ann Jeanne
Bonjour Catherine Thank you for reading my article and for your comment. I appreciate that you wrote you thought and opinion
Yes I agree this is fair to allow people voice their opinions This is what a democracy allow … and French know perfectly how to use this right !!!!
Glad to know that you had a nice stay in Paris despite of the protests. This is true that the 6th arrondissemen5 has stayed very quiet ! Ann Jeanne
Thank you for your comment Yes media often focus to the worst and this doesn’t help solve the issues… ! Ann Jeanne