The French movement of the 'yellow vests' has called for next Saturday, October 24, a new day of massive mobilization against the Government for the increase in the cost of living. The event, defined by the collective itself as a "second act" of the massive protests of last weekend, will have as one of its main demands the immediate resignation of President Emmanuel Macron.
In a statement released this Monday, the organizers of the movement respond to the message to the nation delivered last night by the head of the French State. "Macron speaks of anger and shame. We share that feeling: rage at paying ever higher prices for gasoline, food, and rent, and shame of a president who promised in 2020 to meet with the 'yellow vests' at the Élysée and never did," they publish, referring to the speech in which the president focused on accusing "far-left" groups of unleashing riots during the protests.
Against that official version, the 'yellow vests' blame the security forces for "unrestrained violence" against the protesters and emphasize the serious injuries suffered by young participants from the direct impact of tear gas or stun grenades fired by the Police.
"His support (from Macron) is directed at the law enforcement forces, but ours is directed at the injured. The Police mutilate, pesticides kill, the destruction of public services kills, and the concentration of wealth kills. Each passing day represents an act of violence greater than any uprising," condemn the promoters of the protest, insisting that repression and current policies represent a daily harm to the population.
Along with this statement, the collective has released a map with the calls already confirmed for October 24: for now, 84 demonstrations are counted in different French cities, in addition to eight gatherings located at roundabouts and squares, which could expand in the coming days.
"The French people deserve to finally be taken into account, heard, and attended to," conclude the 'yellow vests', before warning that they do not contemplate at all the possibility of "going home." The "second act" on Saturday is presented, as they emphasize, as a new step towards the general strike called for November 5.