Advertisement

France’s far right take to the streets in protest of COVID-19 vaccine rules

WATCH ABOVE: Protesters in France demonstrate against COVID-19 health pass

Far-right activists and members of France’s yellow vest movement are holding protests Saturday against a bill requiring everyone to have a special virus pass to enter restaurants and other venues and mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for all health care workers.

Legislators in France’s Senate are debating the bill Saturday after the lower house of parliament approved it Friday.

Click to play video: 'France and Greece announce mandatory vaccinations for health workers. Will Canada do the same?'
France and Greece announce mandatory vaccinations for health workers. Will Canada do the same?
Story continues below advertisement

French virus infections are spiking and hospitalizations are rising anew. The government is trying to speed up vaccination to protect vulnerable populations and hospitals and avoid new lockdowns.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Most French adults are fully vaccinated and polls indicate a majority of French people support the new measures.

Click to play video: 'French President Emmanuel Macron slapped by bystander'
French President Emmanuel Macron slapped by bystander

But not everyone. Protesters chanting “Liberty! Liberty!” marched through Paris in one of multiple demonstrations planned Saturday.

Last weekend, more than 100,000 people protested around France against the measures. They included far-right politicians and activists as well as some others angry at President Emmanuel Macron for various reasons.

Remaining members of France’s yellow vest movement, largely from political extremes, are also using the virus bill to try to rekindle its flame. The movement started in 2018 as a broad uprising against perceived economic injustice and led to months of protests marked by violence between demonstrators and police, but subsided after the French government addressed many of the protesters’ concerns.

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices