Demonstrations in Central Paris against COVID Restrictive Measures
French police have fired teargas at protesters in a demonstration in the heart of Paris against the mandatory COVID vaccination and the implementation of the health pass.
The French police targeted demonstrators, today, Saturday, across central Paris, protesting against the restrictive measures that are aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19.
#Paris
— Wisti-ti 🐒🦍 (@Wistiti84470505) July 31, 2021
▶️..Aujourd’hui c’est a #Villiers que ça se passe ..beaucoup de Monde déjà présent sur place…🏴✊🏼
#manif31juillet #manifestation31juillet #AntiPassSanitaire #31juilletVilliers #Giletsjaunes #FDO #Police #Macron #France #NonAuPassSanitaire pic.twitter.com/Jf28O3k7HO
At one rally, which started at Hôtel de Ville metro station towards the Place de la Bastille, the police fired teargas at protesters, under the pretext of "provoking police officers". The demonstrators shouted "liberty" and threw bottles at the police.
The demonstrators also chanted slogans against French President Emmanuel Macron, including "dictator" and "Macron, we do not need your health certificate."
Nouvelle mobilisation à #Paris contre le pass sanitaire
— MarocFranceOnline 🇲🇫🇲🇦 (@maroc_online) July 31, 2021
Énormément de monde #PassSanitaire#manifestation31juillet#31juillet2021 #villiers #manif31juillet #GiletsJaunes #AntiPassSanitaire #Paris #FranceProtests #Citoyenencolére pic.twitter.com/rPAURz6m9B
On July 12, the French President had announced a series of new restrictive measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to other things, Macron announced expanding the use of the "health certificate", mainly to include entry to bars, restaurants, long-distance trains, and planes.
He also introduced mandatory vaccinations for doctors and health workers and care providers.
It is worth mentioning that these demonstrations are not a first. On July 24, thousands of people demonstrated, especially in Paris and Marseille, against the expansion of the health certificate and the mandatory vaccination in some professions, including medical staff.
Demonstrators carried banners reading, “for liberty” and "stop the dictatorship".