France’s Yellow Vest organizers announce fresh protests for Oct. 24

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - A Yellow Vest coordination group behind France’s Oct. 17 protests against the high cost of living announced Monday that fresh demonstrations would be held on Oct. 24 and 31, ahead of a nationwide union mobilization in November.

The group described Saturday’s planned protests as “Act II” and published a map on its website, 17octobregiletjaune.net, showing dozens of actions already scheduled, French media reported.

Benjamin Ball, the website’s editor, said organizers had initially intended to focus on building support for Nov. 5, when an alliance of trade unions has called for strikes and demonstrations across the public and private sectors.

However, strong demand for another round of protests prompted plans for earlier actions, he said.

“We're maintaining momentum for November 5th, but we'll build step by step,” Ball said, outlining successive mobilizations on Oct. 24, Oct. 31, and Nov. 5.

The CFDT, CGT, FO, Unsa, and FSU unions have called for the November action over wages, public services, employment, and industry.

The announcement follows nationwide demonstrations Saturday that were marred by violence and looting in several French cities.

Ball said the Oct. 17 mobilization had generated a major surge in participation, but argued that it had not yet been sufficient.

Following President Emmanuel Macron’s televised address Sunday evening, the coordination group criticized his remarks as an “empty speech” and requested a meeting at the Elysee Palace alongside representatives of other mobilized sectors.

Necva Taştan Sevinç