For months the media have been wondering about their potential return. With the staggering rise in the cost of living and the looming pension reform, will the “yellow vests” come back? On November 19, 2022, very few of them were in Paris – 700 according to the prefecture, four times more according to the demonstrators – to celebrate their fourth anniversary. This Saturday, January 7, ambitions promise to be stronger, in Paris and in several major cities in France.
The call, concocted by pillars of the movement, aims broadly: “for social, tax and climate justice, for the RIC [référendum d’initiative citoyenne]against 49.3 [disposition constitutionnelle qui permet au gouvernement, qui vient de l’utiliser à dix reprises en deux mois, de faire adopter un texte sans vote], against inflation, for peace, against pension reform, against the increase in basic necessities…”. “All citizens who suffer” are welcome, explains Jamel Bouabane, co-organizer of this event. “When I see the echo on social networks and in the media, I tell myself that we can bring together a lot of people”, he adds.
Everywhere, in the media, there is talk of a “giant yellowing” of social movements. In fact, recent actions, such as the strike of SNCF controllers or that of liberal doctors, have been triggered, like the mobilization of “yellow vests”, outside of any trade union framework. But, beyond these similarities in form, will there be a convergence of protests in the streets? “ Have you seen the video of this baker who protested on a roundabout, with “yellow vests”, because he saw his charges increased to 10,000 euros?, relates Jamel Bouabane. Well, I hope all these craftsmen and small traders will join us. »
Jérôme Rodrigues, historical figure of the movement, expresses doubts:
“Everyone is talking about a ‘return’, but it’s not the ‘yellow vests’ alone who will reactivate anything, because there has been too much bloodshed. People are afraid to take to the streets! Not to mention the fact that at 2 euros per liter of gasoline, who will cross France to come and demonstrate in Paris? »
Priscillia Ludosky or Maxime Nicolle present
On the internet, in discussion groups, the tone of the comments varies. “At work, everyone asks if we are going to resume”rejoices Manuel Timili, a worker blinded by a tear gas canister on November 16, 2019, Place d’Italie, in Paris, during the first anniversary of the “yellow vests”.
Many people say they no longer believe in the effectiveness of yet another mobilization. “I campaigned non-stop for months, wasted a lot of money and time […] and result, well alas, nothing at all”, explains a woman, who castigates “Saturday walk” and wait for ” awesome “. Many note bitterly, by comparison, that a million people went out on the Champs-Elysées on the evening of December 31, 2022… “for fireworks”.
“Yellow vests”: towards the creation of a parliamentary commission to settle the question of the mutilated?
This Saturday, in any case, historical figures of the movement should be there, like Priscillia Ludosky or Maxime Nicolle. Eric Drouet, whom the “yellow vests” have not seen for a long time on the ground, split on the Facebook page “Angry France” of a “2023 is going to be something […] I hope people will wake up! ! ! »but he did not say whether he will take part in the demonstration on Saturday.
Jérôme Rodrigues withdrew 48 hours before. “#Istop” he suddenly announced, Thursday, on social networks. If he has since withdrawn his message, he confirms to “the Obs” that he will not participate in the mobilization on Saturday. This is not the first time that the blinded “yellow vest”, tired by four years of combat and undermined by personal problems, has announced his withdrawal. Is it final this time? To our requests for an explanation, he replied by SMS: “I’m leaving all this, I’m going to leave, I think for a very long time, I want to find a normal life. »
Symbolically, the blow is harsh for the movement. But, in fact, the “yellow vests” have never depended on a leader to mobilize. Be that as it may, at the dawn of a month of January which promises to be socially eventful, this Saturday, January 7 will be a test for the government.
