Difference between revisions of "Yellow vest movement"

Revision as of 11:33, December 12, 2018

The Yellow vest (also Yellow jacket, French gilets-jaunes) movement began as a popular anti-carbon tax movement in France in response to globalist climate change agreements. The tax hike is part of France’s long-term ecological plan to move the country away from fossil fuels.^[1] Per the Paris Climate Agreement, the government imposed an 8 cent per gallon tax increase on gasoline.^[2] At least 3 people were killed, hundreds injured, and thousands arrested in protests. The movement has attracted supporters from across the political spectrum. Leftist parties and socialists have joined the anti-tax and anti-social experiment movement.^[3][4]

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."^[5]

France is the heaviest taxed nation in Europe, with government consuming 47% of GDP.^[6][7] 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 a puppet controlled by bankers and outsiders from the European Union. Dissatisfaction with globalization and the loss of sovereignty is blamed for increasing poverty and decline of the nation.

Similiar movements have appeared in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Iraq.

Origins

Emblematic of the meaning of the yellow vest, 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 EU supported Arab Spring uprisings of 2011, EU bureaucrats this time responded with force to suppress peaceful protests.^[8]

Battling climate change by taxation

While implementing the Paris climate agreement, which President Macron strongly supports, the Macron Administration has set a goal of ending the sale of gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2040 in an effort to comply with the Paris agreement's carbon reduction goals.^[9][10][11]

In November and December 2018, Macron's program to raise fuel taxes was met with heavy resistance,^[12] overwhelmingly supported by the public at large.^[13][14]

Deaths, injuries and arrests

More than 850,000 people signed a petition supporting the Yellow Vests. Estimates put the size of the crowds at 287,000 in the streets of cities and towns throughout France. The demonstrations were the largest since the May 1968 protests which led to the toppling of De Gaulle. Macron eventually declared a "social and economic" emergency and ordered a force of 89,000 gendarmerie on the streets to deal with crowds.

An 80 year old woman at home in Marseille went to the window to close her blinds, and was hit by a tear gas cannister fired by the government, and killed.^[15] A man in Bordeaux was tossing a police grenade away from the crowd when it blew up, severing his arm.^[16] A young woman in Paris lost an eye when shot in the face by police with a rubber bullitt.^[17] One person is alleged to have been shot by a French police sniper.^[18]

Macron

Emmanuel Macron, a globalist rising star who's crested.

Polls show 80% of France support the yellow vest movement.^[19] Even some police have shown a reluctance to follow orders to take action against innocent people. ^[20]

An old adage says the people in France always win in fight with their government. Macron, who globalists praise as the "saviour of Europe,"^[21] made concessions that violate the EU's budget austerity rules.^[22] The taxes collected not only were intended to discourage driving and reduce carbon emissions, they also are a vital component of a wealth redistribution program to immigrants, to manage the EU-generated migrant crisis.^[23]

Macron, who only days earlier chided President Trump before the whole world and condemned nationalist sentiment,^[24] unabashedly claimed that "no tax deserves to risk unity of the nation."

Since his election eighteen months earlier, Macron's popularity slid from 66% to 18%. Protesters demanded his resignation. While Merkel in Germany is on her way out, Macron represents a future of Europe that the people do not want.^[25]

As the movement grew, students joined in support of workers, opposing the hardships big government imposes on people's everyday lives. A manifesto appeared mirroring President Trump's agenda.^[26]

More liberal claptrap

Main article: Liberal claptrap

Speaking in front of flags of the European Union and France, Macron came out of hiding to address the nation.^[27] Macron noted retirees had joined the protests which were violently put down by the government. Macron promised to "raise the minimum wage", "tax the rich", "immigration reform," reductions in overtime restrictions, and a one-time payoff of not taxing Holiday bonuses.^[28] Not once did Macron mention the words "climate change," the issue which spawned tax increases, the decline in living standards, and civil unrest.

Following directly on the heels of his speech another attack on Western Civilization's culture and traditions occured at a Christmas market in Strasbourg,^[29] leaving 4 French citizens dead and 14 wounded. The terrorist, Cherif Chekatt,^[30] was a high priority risk the police were seeking to arrest.^[31] Police found grenades in his apartment.^[32]

Protesters rejected the "crumbs" Macron offered.^[33] Most felt he was insincere and condescending. Cries for his resignation persisted.

Italian Minister Matteo Salvini remarked, "History will show that if Macron had focused more on the French and less on Salvini and Italy, he would have a few less problems today."

Other nations

Netherlands

The yellow vest movement planned protests in the Netherlands.^[34][35]

Belgium

Hundreds of protestors demonstrated in front of the EU headquarters and called for Belgium's prime minister to resign.^[35]

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.^[36]

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."^[37]

Germany

In Germany yellow vests demonstrated at the Brandenburg Gate. Protesters also demonstrated against the UN Migrant Treaty.^[38]

Iraq

In Basra, Iraq yellow vest protesters demanded better basic services, such as electricity and water and government corruption.^[39] Protester were reportedly fired upon with live ammunition. ^[40]

Canada

Canadian protesters who felt the government was ignoring them demonstated against the UN Migrant Treaty.^[41]

Eygpt

The Eygptian governmeit banned the sale of colored vests and arrested a leading opponent of the regime after he posted a photo of himself with a yellow vest on Facebook.

See also

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

References