Thousands of Gilets Jaunes Gather in Le Puy -- December 8

More Gilet Jaune demonstrations were scheduled for Saturday, December 8 all over France. Paris braced itself for more violence, and police devised a new strategy to deal with it. Merchants have boarded up their stores. Many cities in the north of France even banned the sale of alcohol.

In Le Puy, the prefect requested that city officials cancel the Saturday farmer's markets that take place in Place du Plot and Place du Breuil as well as the Christmas market and ice rink on the Place du Breuil. The city also closed all public buildings (i.e., the theater, town hall, tourist office, etc.). According to city officials, these decisions were taken "out of prudence, to protect the Ponots (citizens of Le Puy), the merchants and their customers."

The following is a photo essay of the December 8 Gilet Jaune demonstration, which began with a march from the northern part of the city to the central square in front of the Prefecture.

Thousands of people gathered for the 10:30 march. 

                 

"En route to a first democracy."

  

The March

"Fed up being pressured like a lemon." (left)

"The revolt has started. Good-bye President Macron." (right)

  

"Macron, this one is big enough for you. I am coming."

"The Macron method"








"Ruined by working 12/7 to fatten the pigs. Thank you."

Motorcyclists lead the march. They blow their horns and race their engines for effect. Here they are at the end of the march before they move onto Breuil Square. 

At the Prefecture in Breuil Square

It was quiet in the empty parking lot across from the Prefecture, but space would soon be filled with thousands of Gilets Jaunes. The police were ready for them this time. They positioned themselves behind the gate of the Prefecture. As the Gilets Jaunes advanced from the street to the Prefecture, the police put away their cloth hats for protective helmets.






To prepare for today's demonstrations, the city mobilized 435 people including a full squadron of 75 mobile gendarmes, 300 gendarmes from Haute-Loire Region, 50 policemen, and 10 agents specialized in territorial intelligence. 

The Gilets Jaunes leave the street and head for the Prefecture where they line up in front of the gate with their backs t0 the building.

 

Police film the crowd from the second story of the Prefecture.

Guy Fawkes, the symbol of revolution, showed up.

The people milled about at the end of the march. There were no speeches and it seemed as though people were waiting for something--or nothing--to happen.


Effects on Town Life

Life went on as usual on Saturday morning. There were only a few indicators. This store put up a sign saying it was closed for security reasons. It will re-open on Monday, as usual.








The pharmacy remained open but its windows were boarded up just to be on the safe side from any violence. 













The ice rink and Christmas market on Place du Breuil were closed due to the demonstration.

Bakeries, cafés, and restaurants remained open during the demonstration.

After the march, the streets went back to normal--sort of. There is not as yet any pathway to a peaceful solution of the Gilets Jaunes' demands after four weeks of demonstrations--and violence. And it is uncertain how long the Gilets Jaunes will continue their marches and road blocks. Christmas is just 17 days away, and the weather is getting a little colder. 


Meanwhile, people continue to show their support for the Gilets Jaunes by displaying their yellow vests in their cars' front windows. They even give them food at their outposts on the roads. The French people have been largely supportive of the Gilets Jaunes because they aren't interested in paying a higher tax on gasoline either. On the other hand, getting through road blocks helps if they show their support.