140,000 Protest against France’s Health Pass

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A total of 141,655 people, including 18,425 in Paris, demonstrated against the health pass for the eighth consecutive Saturday, according to the interior ministry; a decrease on the number that took to the streets the previous weekend. The Ministry also logged 215 protest actions, 5 of which were in Paris.

ALERTE - Les manifestants anti #PassSanitaire forcent l’entrée du centre commercial de Châtelet. Tensions en cours. #Manifs4septembre #manifestation4septembre pic.twitter.com/NNL2OclUhO

— Clément Lanot (@ClementLanot) September 4, 2021

Numbers falling

Numbers have been falling in recent weeks, according to figures provided by the Ministry. 160,000 people took to the streets in France last weekend (more than this week's 142,000), however, Paris saw an increase in the number of protesters (from 14,500 to 18,500). Two weeks ago, protesters numbered around 175,000 and 215,000 three weeks earlier. 

The figures usually provided by the activist group “Le Nombre Jaune” (The Yellow Number), which publishes on Facebook the number of protesters in each city, were not available on the spot. The group identified about 323,000 participants last Saturday.

Health pass won’t pass

“We’re boycotting this health pass… We’re going to put in a third dose of boycott. At the end of this health pass,” said Florian Philippot, President of the Patriots Movement (far right). In the end, this health pass will fall." 

After the French authorities launched the third dose of the vaccine; i.e. booster shot on Wednesday among the oldest and most vulnerable people, Philippot promised to go until the general strike if necessary against this pass. 

In Marseille, thousands of people left the Old Port, the majority of which had no masks on, holding the French flags and signs that read “No to the health pass. No to discrimination. Liberty.” Gatherings also took place in Montpellier, Lyon, Nice, Lille, Nantes, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg.

What’s the pass for?

In France, the health pass, which will become part of the daily life of the population, became effective despite the people’s objection after it was endorsed by the Constitutional Council to restrain Covid. As per the pass, the French will have to present this document everywhere, whether in bars, restaurants, cinemas, and theatres, as well as hospitals and long-distance train rides... It also has to be presented over a cup of coffee on the terrace of any café.