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: Demonstrations have often turned violent, leading to dramatic clashes with French riot police. The original catalyst for protests was a planned increase to a hydrocarbon tax, introduced as part of the French government’s environmental strategy, that would push up the price of fuel, especially diesel, from January 1. The protests have morphed into wider anti-establishment action, however. VIDEO
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Why is France protesting? CNBC Explains
While the Yellow Vests staged their 11th consecutive weekend of protest last Saturday, and say more are planned for coming weekends, there is a counter-revolutionary wind blowing too. Last Sunday, counter-demonstrations were held by an alliance of pro-democracy groups, the largest of which being the Red Scarves and Blue Vests. They oppose the violence seen at recent Yellow Vest protests and say they are defending the republic. How and why did protests start? It’s believed that the protests started in mid-October when an accordionist from Brittany, in northwest France, uploaded a video to the internet in which she lambasted French President Emmanuel Macron, “Monsieur Macron,” for his policies and treatment of taxpayers’ money. Listing her grievances in the video, Jacline Mouraud says Macron had been “hounding” drivers since taking office in May 2017, France 24 reported.