Title: Why the French are protesting
Headings: Yellow vests, blue vests and red scarves — Here’s why the French are protesting
Yellow vests, blue vests and red scarves — Here’s why the French are protesting
What’s going on in France?
How and why did protests start?
November 17
Why are they called Yellow Vests?
Why did protests escalate?
So, who are the Red Scarves?
What about the Blue Vests?
What has the government done about protests?
How is Macron doing?

Content: JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER | AFP | Getty Images
November 17
The first countrywide demonstration was held on November 17 with over a quarter of a million people taking to the streets of France. The demonstrations were largely rural or at a small-town level with demonstrators blocking roads, motorways, roundabouts and fuel depots. Despite the localized nature of the protests, 400 people were injured, 14 seriously, over 50 people were arrested and one woman died that day, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on November 18. The movement garnered support among working and middle-class people angry about a perceived decline in living standards as a result of Macron’s policies and the demonstrations quickly grew into more structured events organized via social media groups. It quickly spread to urban areas and the capital, Paris, where weekly, weekend protests since mid-November have attracted well over 100,000 people. Why are they called Yellow Vests? The Yellow Vest moniker was borne from the fluorescent yellow safety vests worn by demonstrators. French law states that all motorists must carry a luminous yellow vest or face a fine, hence the apparel was readily available to anyone wanting to protest. People clashes with riot police during an anti-government demonstration called by the Yellow Vest movement on January 19, 2019. NurPhoto | NurPhoto | Getty Images
The protests have become synonymous with scenes of street clashes, violence and destruction to property but the majority of demonstrators are peaceful.