Motorists from across France, inspired by the “Freedom Convoy” demonstrations in Canada, are expected the converge on Paris, leading police to mobilize and set up checkpoints, Reuters reported Friday.
The protestors intend to make a statement against COVID-19 restrictions in France, Reuters reported. “We’ve been going around in circles for three years,” said pensioner Jean-Marie Azais of the prevention measures.
“We saw the Canadians and said to ourselves, ‘It’s awesome, what they’re doing.’ In eight days, boom, something was sparked,” Azais said.
Thousands of police have mobilized in Paris, setting up checkpoints at toll points on major entry roads, Reuters reported. Riot-control barriers were placed across the city center ahead of rallies reportedly planned by the protestors.
A police officer controls and filters vehicles as they arrive at Porte d’Orleans in southern Paris on February 11, 2022, as convoys of protesters are expected to arrive in the French capital. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
Authorities began checking drivers’ documents at various entry points at the start of rush hour, and more than 7,000 additional officers will be mobilized over the next 72 hours, Reuters reported. A widely-enforced vaccine pass rule already spurred demonstrations before the convoys emerged. (RELATED: Freedom Convoy Started By Truckers Spreads To Finland)
“We have always safeguarded the right to protest … but we need harmony and we need a lot of collective goodwill,” President Emmanuel Macron told Ouest France, Reuters reported, while his prime minister, Jean Castex, bluntly told protestors not to attempt to create a traffic jam. Convoy members have reportedly used social media to plan methods of evading government restrictions on traffic.
“The authorities cannot block everyone,” a woman cheering on motorists in Toulouse told Reuters. “The convoys must force it, they must still try to enter.”
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.