The ‘Gilets Jaunes’: Who are they and what do they want?

Lucy Willis

Every Saturday for over 70 weeks, starting on 17th November 2018, the ‘Gilets Jaunes’ (yellow jackets) have protested on the streets of French cities in disapproval of the French government. Although Lockdown temporarily halted these violent protests, the yellow jackets have taken to the French streets once more. But what is it that these relentless insurrectionists, bound by a deceptively simple reflective yellow vest, actually want?

Originating in May 2018, after an online petition for protests to start on 17th November attracted just shy of 1 million signatures, the ‘Gilets Jaunes’ were born. The movement opposed the wealthy urban elite and French establishment, protesting rising crude oil and fuel prices, a high cost of living, and economic inequality.

Labelled by some as the “forgotten middle class”, overlooked by the political elite, many of the protesters of this leaderless organisation actually live in tight financial situations. The socio-economic situation of the country has left many protestors frustrated with the current position of French politics. Such disparate social experiences between the classes are well illustrated through the example of transport –one of the prominent issues at the soul of the movement. Many of the protestors have to use their cars as their main mode of transport, an act which is surprisingly very expensive in France due to the aforementioned rise in fuel prices. However, in comparison, citizens within major cities, such as Paris and Marseille have the ‘luxury’ of public transport, a more affordable option. Conveniently, the extortionate prices of the city centre only allow for the wealthy elite to easily access such services.

Moreover, the motif of transport further resonates on a symbolic level with the rebels.  French law since 2008 states that drivers must always carry a hi-vis jacket in their car for use in emergencies. Subversively, Yellow hi-vis jackets have become emblematic of the ‘Gilets Jaunes’ resistance. with the easily accessible, hi-vis vest, acting as an iconic symbol for the invisibility of the French people.

The movement interestingly does share particularly strong affinities with either wing of the political spectrum and is not associated with any specific political party or trade union. The movement has support from across the French political spectrum with 36% voting far right and 28% voting far left in the 2017 presidential election.

The captivating presence of the movement is something hard to miss. Although the organisation spread largely due to social media, the protests are eager to make themselves known in reality. The violence emanating from the movement, developed out of political anger, has led to many cases of lost limbs or sight. Overall, there have been 12 deaths related to the protests and nearly a staggering 4,500 civilian and police injuries.

Protestors are additionally eager to leave their mark on the establishment through their disregard for the law. The protests have involved: civil disobedience, blocking traffic, strike action, property damage, vandalism, barricades, rioting and looting. Moreover, police response has been expectedly harsh. The police have retaliated with water cannons and tear gas. They have also deployed armoured vehicles in an attempt to limit violence and also used Fast Ball launchers. These have caused thirty cases of monocular blindness even though they are only supposed to be aimed at the legs of protesters. The police response has been criticised by politicians and the foreign media. On many occasions, police officers have been charged for their violent behaviour in response to the protests. Such acts further fuel the rage, exacerbating the fury within the movement.

From the start, the French media have been very supportive of President Macron’s campaign and were outraged by the demonstrations. On multiple occasions, journalists have been physically and verbally attacked by the protesters, with reporters in Rouen thrown to the ground and beaten during the ninth weekend of protests. Furthermore, other reporters have been abused by stones and beer cans, one being told she would be pulled out of her car and raped.

But what have these violent protests achieved? The president was hugely shaken by these unsuspected protests. It was clear to everyone how out of touch Macron and his team were with the ordinary people outside of Paris. Consequently, Macron has since announced a significant increase in the national minimum wage and the abolition of tax on overtime work. The protesters also succeeded in the government dropping the fuel tax. Although the original goals have been achieved, protesting continues.

The yellow jackets have taken on a new form, now a symbol of those unseen, unheard, and disrespected by the elite institutions around them. Participants strive for an even fairer society, criticising the privilege of the wealthy and raising awareness for those who live outside the city and are currently ignored by the government and by the man who is meant to represent them: President Macron.

Has the UK become complacent with inequality? And should the nation do more to represent the views of the many? Should Britain have its own resistance movement?