French yellow vest protesters clash with police again on 20th week of demonstrations as bank staff fear they will become targets for violence
Protesters took to streets to stage their 20th week of anti-government protests today despite bans in areas
Police have so far struggled to contain violence by highly-organised demonstrators since protests began
President Macron reacted to protests by embarking on cross-country tour as part of a ‘Great National Debate’
BHVISHYA PATEL
DAILYMAIL.COM
30 March 2019
French ‘yellow vests’ demonstrators staged their 20th week of anti-government protests today despite bans in hotspot areas, as banks called for an end to violence against branches, cash machines and personnel.
Police had struggled the previous weekend to contain violence by highly-organised demonstrators who smashed shop windows and set fire to newspaper kiosks and a bank in the capital.
Local authorities on Saturday declared iconic sites such as the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris and the centre of Bordeaux, in southwestern France, off limits to demonstrations.
The presidential Elysee palace and the National Assembly were also cordoned off by police.
President Emmanuel Macron has reacted to the Saturday protests, which began last November, by embarking on a cross-country tour as part of a ‘Great National Debate’ aimed at encouraging disgruntled citizens to express themselves through a structured dialogue.
The protests began in rural France on November 17 over fuel tax increases and quickly ballooned into a full-scale anti-government rebellion.
In recent weeks, the protesters’ numbers have dwindled but those still on the streets appear more determined.
The Rest…HERE
