Difference between revisions of "Yellow vest movement"

Revision as of 22:00, December 10, 2018

The Yellow vest movement began as a popular anti-carbon tax movement in France in response to globalist climate change agreements. After the government made concessions, it evolved into an anti-elitist movement that has attracted supporters from both the Left and Right of the political spectrum.

One protester summarized their grievances as "climate change advocates talk about the end of the world, we're worried about the end of the month" with declining living standards. France is the heaviest taxed nation in Europe, with government consuming 47% of GDP.^[1][2] Emmanuel Macron, a relatively unknown, was recruited by the global establishment to run against a rising populist movement led by Marine Le Pen in 2017. Macron has failed to deliver on any promises and appears to be weak and controlled by outsiders from the European Union. Dissatisfaction with globalization and the loss of sovereignty is blamed for increasing poverty and decline of the nation.

Similiar groups have sprouted in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Iraq.

Origins

Emblematic of the meaning of the yellow vest, oppressive statist and bureaucratic laws require all automobiles in France to carry a yellow vest in case of an emergency. After the latest tax increase eating away their incomes, people felt they were in an emergency situation.

The movement has no central organization or elected leadership. Unlike the Western inspired Arab Spring popular uprisings of 2011, EU puppets and bureaucrats responded with force and suppression.^[3]

France

In attempting to adhere to the Paris climate agreement, which President Macron strongly supported, the Macron Administration stopped granting licenses for oil and gas exploration in France and its territories,^[4] and it set a goal of ending the sale of gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2040 in its effort to comply with the agreement's carbon reduction goals.^[5][6][7]

In November and December 2018, Macron's proposal to raise fuel taxes – which he proposed to help end fossil fuel consumption in France – was met with heavy protests in Paris^[8] which were overwhelmingly supported by the Franch public.^[9][10] The protests were the worst since the May 1968 riots, and Macron considered declaring a state of emergency.^[11] Estimates put the size of active protesters in the streets of cities and towns throughout France at 280,000. More than 89,000 police nationwide have been activated to deal with crowds.

Polls show 80% of France support the yellow vest movement.^[12] Even police have shown a reluctance to take action against peaceful protesters. ^[13] While protesters have called for a rollback of the gas tax, then resignation of the government, decades of frustration with globalism have made the movement's aims even larger.

An old adage says in a confrontation between the people of France and their government, the people always win. Macron, whom liberals praised as the "saviour of Europe,"^[14] made certain concessions and went into hiding.^[15] After gas tax concessions were made, protesters smelled blood in the water and demanded he resign. They continued protesting after the concessions.^[16] Since his election eighteen months earlier, Macron's popularity has slid from 66% to 18%. While Merkel in Germany is on her way out, Macron represents a future of Europe that the people do not want.

As the movement grew in strength, even students joined in support of workers to oppose the hardships people experience in their everyday lives under the yoke of EU oppression. A manifesto appeared that mirrored President Trump's agenda.^[17]

Netherlands

The yellow vest movement planned protests in the Netherlands.^[18][19]

Belgium

Hundreds of protestors demonstrated in front of the EU headquarters and called for Belgium's prime minister to resign.^[19]

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, mobilization against rising fuel prices began November 2018. Thousands of Bulgarians blocked main roads and border crossings between their countries and Turkey. In the poorest country in the European Union, the slogan has expanded over time around the question of purchasing power.^[20]

Serbia

The rise in the price of gas in Serbia led to protests in June 2018 in several cities across the country. Bosko Obradovic, deputy of the nationalist Dveri party, said "We want normal prices for gasoline, or you will have yellow vests on the streets of Belgrade and Serbia."^[21]

Germany

In Germany yellow vests demonstrated at the Brandenburg Gate. Protesters also demonstrated against the UN Migrant Treaty.^[22]

Iraq

In Basra, Iraq yellow vest protesters demanded better basic services, such as electricity and water and government corruption.^[23] Protester were reportedly fired upon with live ammunition. ^[24]

See also

• Kyoto Protocol
• Katowice Climate Change Conference
• Global warming petition project
• European Union
• Climate science

References