July 14th was Bastille Day; France's national holiday, which commemorates the storming of The Bastille in 1789, and the end of monarchy.
This year it was celebrated (in traditional style) by some half-hearted dustbin upturning, litter distribution, and general poor quality rioting. They claimed it was against the new regulations concerning certification of vaccination, but any excuse will suffice.
As from July 21st proof of full double vaccination will be required for entry to places of leisure, and cultural gatherings of more than 50 participants. From the beginning of August similar proof of vaccination will be required to enter Cafés, Restaurants, Shopping Centres, Planes, Trains, Busses, or other places of Mass Gathering.
It is interesting to note, in the video, that many of the 'rioting' anti-vaxxers, seem to be wearing masks. However, I suspect that their mask-wearing has more to do with making themselves unrecognisable, rather than keeping themselves or others, safe from Covid-19.
Not much of a riot to see on this video, the French are usually much more revolting than this.
ReplyDeleteYes, very junior, poor quality stuff. They probably realised it was going nowhere. Not enough people turned up!
DeleteC'est manifestation..
ReplyDeleteI got caught in one in Lyon years ago. Staying in a hostel in the outskirts I'd gone into to city for sightseeing and to eat. Something kicked off at the end of the street of outdoor restaurants. The waiter shrugged "c'est manifestation..." Shortly the tables were in a stream of stumbling humanity grabbing water bottles as they passed and dragging a whiff of tear gas with them. The authorities shut down the public transport system and everyone calmly walked home. Anywhere else I've seen a riot, after the tear gassing and water canons there would have been fires, overturned cars, smashed windows, looting,.... but no just a calm walk home to undisturbed suburbs.
It's very much a part of French tradition. On New Year's Eve, they burn cars; as many as possible, and no-one does anything about it. They just love taking to the streets and 'destroying'.
DeleteI never understand why there is so much violence and destruction in these demonstrations.
ReplyDeleteIn France it's the only way to make people pay attention, it has now become a tradition.
DeleteIt's all beyond my ken and understanding.
ReplyDeleteThey love it; any excuse!
DeleteI read something about Macron the other day becoming more and more unpopular and I can't for the life of me think what it was. I remember thinking at the time he'll have riots on his hands before long, big time.
ReplyDeleteI thought he looked very unsure of himself, the other day, as he waved to the Tour bystanders from the red car.
DeleteI found our brief involvement with the yellow jackets terrifying. I lost any empathy I had for the French after all that disruption and destruction directed towards their fellow citizens.
ReplyDeleteMostly they were OK; you hooted you car as you went by, and they waved. Of course their demands were crazy, but with these people they usually are.
DeleteSouth Africa could have done with a few squads of French riot squads. I rather like the walking public protests seen in some countries where the marchers walk silently with or without placards. Doing that day after day seems to have an effect. The Zen of peaceful protest.
ReplyDeleteWe have friends in Jo'burg and Cape Town; they're petrified. On one side they have Covid running rampant, on the other the rioters who fear nothing. What a state of affairs. In the 'old days' we sat down until asked nicely to move!
DeleteSurely it's too hot for all that kind of goings-on!
ReplyDeleteI think they like the heat, it gives them an excuse to take their T Shirts off.
DeleteFrench riot officers have a nice range of helmets. I especially like the ones with the yellow bands - very stylish. I wonder if they were designed by the Yves St Laurent fashion house. It is important to look cool when a riot is going on.
ReplyDeleteThe rioters wear Shorts and T Shirts, and the CRS look as if they're going into Afghanistan.
DeleteWhen you will leave your French home rioters and squatters will take over your house and barn. That's what happens when people notice that nobody lives in the home.
ReplyDeleteWe have taken measures against such events. I shall say no more!
DeleteI love the phrase 'general poor quality rioting' - mind if I borrow it?
ReplyDeletePlease do... it was the only way I could describe it.
DeleteI've never quite understood the fluctuating rules. From now until August gives a few weeks for a virus to continue spreading. And every country has done this sort of thing. Plus the open/closed/open/closed patterns. Riots don't help; common sense might, but that's no longer present. Macron could always blame social media and announce Facebook is killing people.
ReplyDeleteIf something is URGENT, it should be done NOW; not in two weeks time. If I can go to my local restaurant today without showing proof of my double-vax, why will I have to in 14 days time? It makes no sense.
DeleteExactly my thoughts. And that's been happening across the globe since this all began. Then everyone wonders why it continues to spread? The world lost its collective mind in 2020, and it won't be returning anytime soon (it seems).
DeleteAwait the Wimbledon variant, the Wembley variant, and the Nag's Head variant. Coming soon to a village near you!!!!
DeleteMadness. I have no other words.
ReplyDeleteThey have nothing better to do; maybe we should feel sorry for them!
DeleteLockdown has shortened peoples’ fuses
ReplyDeleteAll Frenchmen have short fuses.... they're born like that!
DeleteTaking a medieval history course a few years back - the fact that students (and others) have been protesting/rioting in Paris for the past 800 years drew a chuckle from those of us who had thought the 1960;s were the beginning of such activity. It does sometimes seem to be a bit of a national pastime.
ReplyDelete