Europe News, Delhi – Magazine: On Saturday, August 28, about 160,000 people protested against health passports in France. This is the seventh weekend in a row that there have been protests in this case in the country. At least 16 people were detained.
The collective Le Nombre Jaune, which publishes data on protests in the cities, estimates that at least 319,290 demonstrators have rallied for protests across the country.
About 220 demonstrations began in the early afternoon in the country’s largest cities. Apart from Paris, the two most important events took place in Montpellier (9.5 thousand people) and in Mulhouse (around 5.5 thousand people). Significant protests were also recorded in Rennes, Lyon, Lille, Toulouse and Perpignan.
“I am not against the vaccine (on Covid-19 – PAP), but against the sanitary passports,” said Patriot movement member David Vidal Ponsard, former member of the far-right National Front party (now the National Union), which gathered protesters in front of the Military School in Paris.
The competitive demonstration in the capital was organized by the “yellow vest” movement. Its participants denounced the “propaganda” they believe the media and the French government are spreading about the Covid-19 vaccines.
“The vaccine is not the solution,” argued protesting pensioner Helene Vierondeels. “Rather, we should stop removing hospital beds and continue to respect sanitary rules,” she added.
Until 19 the police detained 16 people, including two in Paris. Three officers were slightly injured during the demonstration.
Last week, Health Minister Olivier Veran announced that the obligation to show sanitary passports in public places could be extended beyond November 15, the limit set by law.
The sanitary pass is valid from July 21 for people going to places of culture and entertainment, and from August 9 at the entrance to cafes, restaurants or trains. From August 16, it must also be presented in many shopping centers, and from Monday it will be required from employees serving clients. An employee who refuses to present this certificate may be suspended in the performance of duties.
The trade union of the famous Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris has called for an indefinite strike against health passports for workers. One of the points of contention between the union and management is the establishment of skip-the-line entry for vaccinated workers, not for those expected to present coronavirus testing.