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France mobilized thousands of police, armored personnel carriers and water jets in Paris today, to prevent the arrival of convoys of vehicles heading to the French capital as part of a protest against restrictions against Covid-19.
Checkpoints were set up at tollgates at the entrances to the city, while metal railings were placed in the centre of Paris ahead of the marches the protesters plan to hold over the weekend.
Inspired by the Freedom Convoy protests in Canada, drivers, from several cities in France, are expected to gather outside Paris today and plan to defy police orders not to enter the city.
As soon as night fell, police began checking drivers' documents at various points leading into the city centre.
More than 7,000 police officers will be mobilised over the next 72 hours.
Participants in the convoy exchanged information on social media on how to enter the city undisturbed, avoiding the police presence, while Prime Minister Jean Castex warned protesters not to attempt to cause traffic jams on the streets of Paris.
Protesting is a constitutional right. Causing traffic jams is not, he told France 2 TV.
Macron calls for calm
At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron today called for calm as convoys of vehicles headed towards Paris, with demonstrators wanting to protest against the vaccine pass or against the government.
In an interview with the newspaper Ouest-France, the French head of state stresses that France needs unity, collective goodwill, noting that he listens and respects the fatigue and anger linked to the health crisis.
We are all collectively tired of what we have been experiencing for two years. This fatigue is expressed in many ways: from upset in some, to depression in others. We see a mental pain very strong, among our young and less young. And in some cases, this fatigue is also translated by anger. I hear it and I respect it, said Emmanuel Macron.
But I call for maximum calm. Claims are always legitimate. We have always protected the right to demonstrate, democratic pluralism, parliamentary dialogue during this period. But we need unity, great collective goodwill, concluded the French Head of State.
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