France's Yellow Vests call for new protests against government’s ‘authoritarian drift’
- Movement plans rallies and sit-ins outside National Assembly in Paris and town halls nationwide on Oct. 31 to defend public freedoms
By Melike Pala
BRUSSELS (AA) - France's Yellow Vests movement has called for nationwide protests on Oct. 31 against what it described as the government's "authoritarian drift," broadcaster BFMTV reported.
The movement announced plans for rallies and sit-ins outside the National Assembly in Paris and town halls across the country to "defend public freedoms."
"There is anger in this country which is not being heard," the Yellow Vests said in a statement, accusing the government of "contempt, refusal to listen, lies and repression."
The movement also warned that public freedoms were "under threat," denouncing what it described as an increasingly "authoritarian drift" by the executive branch.
The call for mobilization comes as authorities have banned several demonstrations across France following a wave of violence and looting that shook the country a week earlier.
Meanwhile, thousands of people were expected to take to the streets Saturday in Paris and other major cities to protest the rising cost of living and poor teaching conditions.