Sunday, December 9, 2018

IMAGES - THE YELLOW VEST REVOLUTION SPREADS ACROSS EUROPE - AMERICA'S BILLIONAIRE CLASS HEADS FOR THEIR BUNKERS

AMERICA FACES REVOLUTION, CIVIL WAR II OR REVOLUTION AGAINST THE RULE BY BILLIONAIRES AND WALL STREET
"Vast popular hardship and suffering, on the one hand, and almost indescribable wealth and social indifference, on the other. Two parties of the corporate oligarchy, dedicated to war and political reaction. The impossible economic and political conditions must produce sooner rather than later the greatest social upheavals in American history."

"A series of recent polls in the US and Europe have shown a sharp growth of popular disgust with capitalism and support for socialism. In May of 
2017, in a survey conducted by the Union of European Broadcasters of people aged 18 to 35, more than half said they would participate in a 
“large-scale uprising.” Nine out of 10 agreed with the statement, “Banks and money rule the world.”

"A defining expression of this crisis is the dominance of financial speculation and parasitism, to the point where a arrow international financial aristocracy plunders society’s resources in order to further enrich itself."

 REVOLUTION STIRS IN AMERICA

It will more likely come on the heels of economic dislocation and dwindling wealth to redistribute.”




"Between 2002 and 2015 annual earnings for the bottom 90 percent of Americans rose by only 4.5 percent, while earnings for the top 1 percent grew by 22.7 percent, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Under the Obama administration, more than 90 percent of income gains since the so-called “recovery” began have gone to the top one percent."
*
 “Our entire crony capitalist system, Democrat and Republican alike, has become a kleptocracy approaching par with third-world hell-holes. This is the way a great country is raided by its elite.” ---- Karen McQuillan THEAMERICAN THINKER.com

"A defining expression of this crisis is the dominance of financial speculation and parasitism, to the point where a narrow international financial aristocracy plunders society’s resources in order to further enrich itself."
  

THE BILLIONAIRES’S GLOBALIST DEMOCRAT PARTY FOR WIDER OPEN BORDERS

 

the true cost of all that “cheap” labor is passed along to the middle class.

 

"This doesn't include the costs of illegal immigration to society, which provides health care, housing, education, child care, and legal services to illegal aliens.  Even though immigration advocates claim that illegal aliens do indeed pay taxes, the dollar amount pales in comparison to the cost of the many services they receive."

 

https://mexicanoccupation.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-globalist-democrat-party-for-wider_29.html

 

Meanwhile, despite the highest taxes in the nation, California is $1.3 trillion in debt – unemployment is at a staggering 11%.  California's wacko giveaways to illegals include in-state tuition, amounting to $25 million of financial aid.  Nearly a million illegals have California driver's licenses.  L.A. County has 144% more registered voters than there are residents of legal voting age.  Clearly, illegals are illegally voting




'Yellow vest' violence erupts across Europe: Paris riots spread to Brussels and Amsterdam as 1,400 are arrested, French police call up 8,000 reinforcements and rioters torch everything in their path

  • The protest movement crossed borders, with demonstrations in neighboring Belgium and the Netherlands

  • Belgian police fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters near government offices and parliament

  • About 100 protesters gathered in a peaceful demonstration outside the Dutch parliament in The Hague 

  • Paris was on lockdown as armed police battled to contain demonstrators with more than 700 arrests 

  • 8,000 police were deployed in Paris to avoid a repeat of last Saturday's mayhem when rioters wreaked havoc

  • Shops were boarded up to avoid looting and street furniture and construction site materials were removed

  • Nearly 1,400 people were detained across France, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner 
Violent protests in Paris spread to Brussels and Amsterdam last night, as 1,400 are arrested and French police call up to 8,000 reinforcements in a bid to quell the rising discontent. 
The French 'Yellow Vest' protest movement crossed borders, with demonstrations in neighboring Belgium and in the Netherlands even though meither country has proposed a hike in fuel tax - the catalyst for the destructive demonstrations in France in recent weeks.
Hundreds of police officers were mobilised in Brussels on Saturday, where yellow vest protesters last week clashed with police and torched two police vehicles. 
Belgian police fired tear gas and water cannons at stone-throwing yellow-vested protesters near the country's government offices and parliament.
Protesters smashed street signs and traffic lights near a police barricade blocking access to the office of Prime Minister Charles Michel, as they chanted slogans calling on him to resign. They threw paving stones, fireworks, flares and other objects at police.
Brussels police spokeswoman Ilse Van de Keere says around 400 protesters are gathered in the area.
About 100 have been detained, many for possessing dangerous objects like fireworks or wearing clothing that could be used as protection in clashes with police.
More than 650 protesters were detained in France last night, as riots continued into the evening. The yellow vest protesters are angry with rising living costs and proposed tax hikes in France
More than 650 protesters were detained in France last night, as riots continued into the evening. The yellow vest protesters are angry with rising living costs and proposed tax hikes in France
The view of the Place de la Republique as riot police tried to keep protesters away from major landmarks but struggled with the weight of numbers
The view of the Place de la Republique as riot police tried to keep protesters away from major landmarks but struggled with the weight of numbers
Smoke from grenades billows into the night sky as the Yellow Vests surround the Place de la Republique and a helicopter circles overhead
Smoke from grenades billows into the night sky as the Yellow Vests surround the Place de la Republique and a helicopter circles overhead
In the Netherlands, about 100 protesters gathered in a peaceful demonstration outside the Dutch parliament in The Hague. At least two protesters were detained by police in central Amsterdam. 
Protests also continued in Paris on Saturday as rioters set fire to cars, burn barricades and smash windows in pockets of violence across the city centre. Police reinforcements were boosted to 8,000 across the city, with armoured vehicles deployed in Paris for the first time ever.
More than 650 protesters were detained in the capital last night. Many of them stopped as they arrived at train stations or meeting points carrying hammers, petanque balls and other potential missiles.  
Nationwide, 89,000 police officers were on duty in towns, cities and on numerous motorways which caused havoc on France's road network, including a blockade of a border crossing with Spain.
Police officers stand guard beside their vans and armoured cars pack the route towards the Arc de Triomphe as they try to contain the rioters and keep them away from the landmark
Police officers stand guard beside their vans and armoured cars pack the route towards the Arc de Triomphe as they try to contain the rioters and keep them away from the landmark
A youngster lies on the wet street with his hands bound behind his back close to the Place de la Republique as members of the Yellow Vests close to him bleed from injuries on their foreheads
A youngster lies on the wet street with his hands bound behind his back close to the Place de la Republique as members of the Yellow Vests close to him bleed from injuries on their foreheads
The shell of a Smart car burns on the streets of Paris, as the warped sign of store nearby is melted by the flames; despite authorities being on high alert the chaos has continued
The shell of a Smart car burns on the streets of Paris, as the warped sign of store nearby is melted by the flames; despite authorities being on high alert the chaos has continued
A young man sits with blood pouring from his face as he is detained by riot police who stand around him and other protestors covered in blood after heavy clashes in the Place de la Republique
A young man sits with blood pouring from his face as he is detained by riot police who stand around him and other protestors covered in blood after heavy clashes in the Place de la Republique
A woman wags her finger at heavily-armoured gendarmerie in Paris on the fourth Saturday of protests against fuel duty and cost of living
A woman wags her finger at heavily-armoured gendarmerie in Paris on the fourth Saturday of protests against fuel duty and cost of living
Rioters clash with heavily armoured police at the Place de la Republique in central Paris on Saturday night, as the city was torn to pieces by carnage
Rioters clash with heavily armoured police at the Place de la Republique in central Paris on Saturday night, as the city was torn to pieces by carnage
Mounted police bark orders as they try to take control of the streets which have been dominated by protesters for another weekend
Mounted police bark orders as they try to take control of the streets which have been dominated by protesters for another weekend
Armour-clad gendarmerie stand on the corner of a street littered with broken projectiles as a Ford hatchback billows toxic fumes from its burning shell
Armour-clad gendarmerie stand on the corner of a street littered with broken projectiles as a Ford hatchback billows toxic fumes from its burning shell
A yellow vest holds up a sign as a jet from a water cannon sprays over his head near Avenue Marceau, Paris on Saturday
A yellow vest holds up a sign as a jet from a water cannon sprays over his head near Avenue Marceau, Paris on Saturday
Yellow vests tend to a fallen comrade who bleeds from the head after he was injured in the protests on Saturday
Yellow vests tend to a fallen comrade who bleeds from the head after he was injured in the protests on Saturday
Protestors wearing a yellow vest stand next to a burning barricade, during a demonstration against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes in Toulouse, southern France (pictured)
Protestors wearing a yellow vest stand next to a burning barricade, during a demonstration against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes in Toulouse, southern France (pictured)
Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse (pictured) and other cities also saw major clashes between protesters and police on Saturday
Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse (pictured) and other cities also saw major clashes between protesters and police on Saturday
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said about 120 demonstrators and nearly 20 police officers had been injured nationwide, as the Paris riots spread to cities including Toulouse
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said about 120 demonstrators and nearly 20 police officers had been injured nationwide, as the Paris riots spread to cities including Toulouse
Riots also spread to Bordeaux this evening (pictured), with protesters detained across the city.  blockading French roads on November 17 over rising fuel prices - partly due to taxes aimed at helping the country transition to a lower-carbon economy. But the demonstrations have since swollen into a broad movement against ex-banker Macron, whom the protesters accuse of favouring the rich.
Riots also spread to Bordeaux this evening (pictured), with protesters detained across the city. The riots began on November 17 over rising fuel prices - partly due to taxes aimed at helping the country transition to a lower-carbon economy. But the demonstrations have since swollen into a broad movement against ex-banker Macron, whom the protesters accuse of favouring the rich
Protestors stand near a fire this evening in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on the sideline of a demonstration against rising costs of living - as the movement spreads to cities and towns across the city
Protestors stand near a fire this evening in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on the sideline of a demonstration against rising costs of living - as the movement spreads to cities and towns across the city
A yellow vest protester is marched away from the scene of chaos near to the Champs Elysees, Paris' main thoroughfare
A yellow vest protester is marched away from the scene of chaos near to the Champs Elysees, Paris' main thoroughfare
French police officers handcuff rioters and take them away from the area as they try to impose themselves on the streets of Paris
French police officers handcuff rioters and take them away from the area as they try to impose themselves on the streets of Paris
French riot police tackle a protester to the deck at riots in Mondeville near Caen in northwestern France on Saturday
French riot police tackle a protester to the deck at riots in Mondeville near Caen in northwestern France on Saturday
Riot police members stand in a Paris street as garbage is burnt in the foreground during a protest of yellow vests. Nearly 1,400 people were detained across France, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner
Riot police members stand in a Paris street as garbage is burnt in the foreground during a protest of yellow vests. Nearly 1,400 people were detained across France, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner
Protesters with "yellow vests" (gilets jaunes) gather in the background following clashes with riot police during a protest against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes in Tours, northwestern France
Protesters with 'yellow vests' (gilets jaunes) gather in the background following clashes with riot police during a protest against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes in Tours, northwestern France
Police also clashed with protesters in the southwestern city of Toulouse, though elsewhere, such as Marseille, the demonstrations were peaceful.
Nearly 1,400 people were detained across France, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner. 
Earlier on Saturday, French police fired tear gas and water cannons trying to stop thousands of yellow-vested protesters from converging on the presidential palace to express their anger at high taxes and Emmanuel Macron.
Dramatic photographs offered a snapshot into the volatile atmosphere surrounding the streets of France, as protesters continue to demand more concessions from the government after Macron's U-turn on the fuel tax.
Cars were flipped and set ablaze, smoke bombs were launched and tri-colour flags waved in defiance as heavily amoured police fought back in a bid to keep control of the city streets.   
The French protests also attracted the attention of US President Donald Trump, who said they were evidence of a lack of public support for pro-environment policies like the Paris climate agreement.
'The Paris Agreement isn't working out so well for Paris. Protests and riots all over France,' Trump tweeted.
The demonstrations are not linked to the climate agreement. 
Paris is on lockdown as armed police battle to contain 'yellow vest' demonstrators with more than 700 arrests in the fourth straight weekend of demonstrations over living costs and proposed tax rises in France. Angry protesters have been pictured throwing flares and smoke bombs at police who have returned in kind with tear gas and water cannons
Paris is on lockdown as armed police battle to contain 'yellow vest' demonstrators with more than 700 arrests in the fourth straight weekend of demonstrations over living costs and proposed tax rises in France. Angry protesters have been pictured throwing flares and smoke bombs at police who have returned in kind with tear gas and water cannons
French riot police fired tear gas and water cannons trying to stop thousands of yellow-vested protesters from converging on the presidential palace to express their anger at high taxes and French President Emmanuel Macron
French riot police fired tear gas and water cannons trying to stop thousands of yellow-vested protesters from converging on the presidential palace to express their anger at high taxes and French President Emmanuel Macron
A protester waves a French flag during clash with riot police amid tear gas near the Champs Elysees in Paris on December 8
A protester waves a French flag during clash with riot police amid tear gas near the Champs Elysees in Paris on December 8
Dramatic photographs offer a snapshot into the volatile atmosphere surrounding the streets of France, as 'yellow vests' continue to demand more concessions from the government after Macron's U-turn on the fuel tax
Dramatic photographs offer a snapshot into the volatile atmosphere surrounding the streets of France, as 'yellow vests' continue to demand more concessions from the government after Macron's U-turn on the fuel tax
Protestors wearing 'yellow vests' (gilets jaunes) stand behind grids set on fire near the Champs Elysees avenue as they protest against living costs and proposed tax rises in France
Protestors wearing 'yellow vests' (gilets jaunes) stand behind grids set on fire near the Champs Elysees avenue as they protest against living costs and proposed tax rises in France
Protests spread to Marseille this weekend, with a car seen here burning during clashes with police over Emmanuel Macron presidency
Protests spread to Marseille this weekend, with a car seen here burning during clashes with police over Emmanuel Macron presidency
A woman is sprayed with teargas by the riot police officer during the "yellow vests" protest against higher fuel prices, in Brussels
A woman is sprayed with teargas by the riot police officer during the 'yellow vests' protest against higher fuel prices, in Brussels
The rioting has now spread across Europe to Brussels (pictured) and Amsterdam as Belgium and Dutch police brace themselves to tackle more violent demonstrations
The rioting has now spread across Europe to Brussels (pictured) and Amsterdam as Belgium and Dutch police brace themselves to tackle more violent demonstrations
Protesters were seen wearing yellow vests during a protest near European institutions headquarters in Brussels on Saturday (pictured)
Protesters were seen wearing yellow vests during a protest near European institutions headquarters in Brussels on Saturday (pictured)
Pepper spray was used to quell protesters, as demonstrations spread to Brussels today after weeks of unrest in France 
Pepper spray was used to quell protesters, as demonstrations spread to Brussels today after weeks of unrest in France 
Firemen work to extinguish vehicules on fire during a "yellow vests" demonstration against rising costs of living near the Champ Elysees
Firemen work to extinguish vehicules on fire during a 'yellow vests' demonstration against rising costs of living near the Champ Elysees
'Yellow vest' protestors build barricades and set fires in Paris

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While elsewhere rioting has spread across Europe to Brussels and Amsterdam as Belgium and Dutch police brace themselves to more violent demonstrations
While elsewhere rioting has spread across Europe to Brussels and Amsterdam as Belgium and Dutch police brace themselves to more violent demonstrations
While elsewhere rioting has spread across Europe to Brussels and Amsterdam as Belgium and Dutch police brace themselves to more violent demonstrations
While elsewhere rioting has spread across Europe to Brussels and Amsterdam as Belgium and Dutch police brace themselves to more violent demonstrations
Security officials imposed a lockdown on parts of central Paris, determined to prevent a repeat of the rioting a week ago that damaged a major monument, injured 130 people and tarnished the country's global image 
Security officials imposed a lockdown on parts of central Paris, determined to prevent a repeat of the rioting a week ago that damaged a major monument, injured 130 people and tarnished the country's global image 
'Yellow vest' protesters burn cars in central Paris

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Security officials imposed a lockdown on parts of central Paris, determined to prevent a repeat of the rioting a week ago that damaged a major monument, injured 130 people and tarnished the country's global image.
Blue armored vehicles rumbled across cobblestone streets from the Arc de Triomphe across toward eastern Paris as scattered demonstrations spread around the city. 
Police were mounted on horses and surrounded protesters with trained dogs. A ring of steel surrounded the Elysee Palace itself, as police stationed trucks and reinforced steel barriers in streets throughout the entire neighborhood.
Police were mounted on horses and surrounded protesters with trained dogs. A ring of steel surrounded the Elysee Palace itself, as police stationed trucks and reinforced steel barriers in streets throughout the entire neighborhood
Police were mounted on horses and surrounded protesters with trained dogs. A ring of steel surrounded the Elysee Palace itself, as police stationed trucks and reinforced steel barriers in streets throughout the entire neighborhood
Blue armored vehicles rumbled across cobblestone streets from the Arc de Triomphe across toward eastern Paris as scattered demonstrations spread around the city
Blue armored vehicles rumbled across cobblestone streets from the Arc de Triomphe across toward eastern Paris as scattered demonstrations spread around the city
Riot police forces spray tear gas at a woman during copycat "yellow vest" demonstrations rocking neighbouring France, in Brussels 
Riot police forces spray tear gas at a woman during copycat 'yellow vest' demonstrations rocking neighbouring France, in Brussels 
Some stores along the Champs-Elysee had boarded up their windows with plywood, making the neighborhood appear like it was bracing for a hurricane
Some stores along the Champs-Elysee had boarded up their windows with plywood, making the neighborhood appear like it was bracing for a hurricane
Protests have also spread to Amsterdam in the Netherlands where groups are angry at high prices of food and fuel
Protests have also spread to Amsterdam in the Netherlands where groups are angry at high prices of food and fuel
Multiple protesters were hurt in Saturday's clashes with police. Paris police said 30 people were injured, including three police officers. 
A video journalist was wounded in the leg as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets on the Champs-Elysees.
Some stores along the Champs-Elysee had boarded up their windows with plywood, making the neighborhood appear like it was bracing for a hurricane. Angry protesters on Saturday tried to rip the boards off.
Protesters threw flares and other projectiles and set fires but were repeatedly pushed back by tear gas and water cannon. By mid-afternoon, more than 700 people had been stopped and questioned, and more than 400 were being held in custody, according to a Paris police spokeswoman.
Angry protesters on Saturday tried to rip the boards off. Protesters threw flares and other projectiles and set fires but were repeatedly pushed back by tear gas and water cannon. By mid-afternoon, more than 700 people had been stopped and questioned, and more than 400 were being held in custody, according to a Paris police spokeswoman
Angry protesters on Saturday tried to rip the boards off. Protesters threw flares and other projectiles and set fires but were repeatedly pushed back by tear gas and water cannon. By mid-afternoon, more than 700 people had been stopped and questioned, and more than 400 were being held in custody, according to a Paris police spokeswoman
Protesters threw flares and other projectiles and set fires but were repeatedly pushed back by tear gas and water cannon. By mid-afternoon, more than 700 people had been stopped and questioned, and more than 400 were being held in custody, according to a Paris police spokeswoman
Protesters threw flares and other projectiles and set fires but were repeatedly pushed back by tear gas and water cannon. By mid-afternoon, more than 700 people had been stopped and questioned, and more than 400 were being held in custody, according to a Paris police spokeswoman
Despite the repeated skirmishes, Saturday's anti-government protests appeared less chaotic and violent than a week ago, when crowds defaced the Arc de Triomphe, set vehicles ablaze and looted high-end stores in the city's worst rioting since 1968.  
Also last week some 200 cars were torched in the worst rioting in Paris in decades. 
Prized Paris monuments and normally bustling shopping meccas were locked down Saturday at the height of the holiday shopping season. 
The Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum were among the many tourist attractions that closed for the day, fearing damages amid a new round of protests. Subway stations in the center of town were shut down.
The yellow vest movement - named after the fluorescent outerwear French drivers must keep in their vehicles - started as a protest against higher taxes for diesel and gas, but quickly expanded to encompass wide frustration at stagnant incomes, the rising cost of living and other grievances.
Despite the repeated skirmishes, Saturday's anti-government protests appeared less chaotic and violent than a week ago, when crowds defaced the Arc de Triomphe, set vehicles ablaze and looted high-end stores in the city's worst rioting since 1968 
Despite the repeated skirmishes, Saturday's anti-government protests appeared less chaotic and violent than a week ago, when crowds defaced the Arc de Triomphe, set vehicles ablaze and looted high-end stores in the city's worst rioting since 1968 
Prized Paris monuments and normally bustling shopping meccas were locked down Saturday at the height of the holiday shopping season. The Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum were among the many tourist attractions that closed for the day, fearing damages amid a new round of protests. Subway stations in the center of town were shut down
Prized Paris monuments and normally bustling shopping meccas were locked down Saturday at the height of the holiday shopping season. The Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum were among the many tourist attractions that closed for the day, fearing damages amid a new round of protests. Subway stations in the center of town were shut down
Protesters who came to Paris from Normandy described seeing officers block yellow-vested passengers from boarding public transportation at stops along their route. The national gendarme service posted a video on Twitter of police tackling a protester and confiscating his dangerous material, which appeared to be primarily a tennis racket
Protesters who came to Paris from Normandy described seeing officers block yellow-vested passengers from boarding public transportation at stops along their route. The national gendarme service posted a video on Twitter of police tackling a protester and confiscating his dangerous material, which appeared to be primarily a tennis racket
Macron on Wednesday agreed to abandon the fuel tax hike, which aimed to wean France off fossil fuels and uphold the Paris climate agreement, but that hasn't defused the anger.
After two weekends of violence in Paris that made the authorities look powerless, police went into overdrive Saturday to keep a lid on unrest. 
Protesters who came to Paris from Normandy described seeing officers block yellow-vested passengers from boarding public transportation at stops along their route. 
The national gendarme service posted a video on Twitter of police tackling a protester and confiscating his dangerous material, which appeared to be primarily a tennis racket.
Riot police fire tear gas canisters at yellow-vested protesters gathered on the Paris' famed Champs-Elysees Avenue
Riot police fire tear gas canisters at yellow-vested protesters gathered on the Paris' famed Champs-Elysees Avenue
Dramatic photographs offer a snapshot into the volatile atmosphere surrounding the streets of France, as 'yellow vests' continue to demand more concessions from the government following Macron's U-turn on the fuel tax
Dramatic photographs offer a snapshot into the volatile atmosphere surrounding the streets of France, as 'yellow vests' continue to demand more concessions from the government following Macron's U-turn on the fuel tax
France had been braced for “ultra-violent” demonstrations on Saturday, with tens of thousands of officers deployed to police the anti-government protests
France had been braced for 'ultra-violent' demonstrations on Saturday, with tens of thousands of officers deployed to police the anti-government protests
Macron's government had warned that the yellow vest protests had created a 'monster' and that Saturday's protests would be hijacked by radicalized and rebellious crowds.
Demonstrators waving French flags, shouting the French anthem and wearing the movement's signature neon vests gathered before dawn Saturday near the Arc de Triomphe, then tried to march down the Champs-Elysees Avenue toward the presidential palace.
Rows of helmeted, thickly protected riot police blocked their passage down the Champs-Elysees toward the heart of presidential power. So the protesters tried other routes, marching through the prime shopping district that includes the high-end stores of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps and the Palais Garnier opera house.
About 89,000 police were deployed across the country. Of these, about 8,000 were deployed in Paris to avoid a repeat of last Saturday's mayhem when rioters torched cars and looted shops off the famed Champs Elysees boulevard, and defaced the Arc de Triomphe monument with graffiti directed at President Emmanuel Macron
About 89,000 police were deployed across the country. Of these, about 8,000 were deployed in Paris to avoid a repeat of last Saturday's mayhem when rioters torched cars and looted shops off the famed Champs Elysees boulevard, and defaced the Arc de Triomphe monument with graffiti directed at President Emmanuel Macron

Police are seizing protective equipment from journalists and barring some provincial yellow vest protesters from boarding trains to Paris, as part of exceptionally stringent security measures to prevent a repeat of last week's rioting
French gendarmerie keep watch during the demonstration of the yellow vests on the Champs-Elysees avenue
French gendarmerie keep watch during the demonstration of the yellow vests on the Champs-Elysees avenue
National police estimated the number of protesters in Paris on Saturday at 8,000, among 31,000 protesters nationwide. They appeared to be outnumbered by police, with 8,000 officers deployed in the capital alone and 89,000 fanned out around the country.
The yellow vests include people with views that range from the far right to the far left. The group has no leaders but is united in its feeling that Macron and his government are out of touch with the concerns of ordinary French families.
'We are here to tell (Macron) our discontent. Me, I'm not here to break things because I have four children so I am going to try to be safe for them, because they are afraid,' protester Myriam Diaz told the AP. 'But I still want to be here to say `Stop, that's enough, this has to stop.''
Cyril, a garbage truck driver in Normandy who earns 1,430 euros (£1,431) a month, said Macron's mistake was trying to reform France too quickly.
Protester holds a Brittany flag as 'Yellow vests' protesters clash with riot police amid tear gas on the Champs Elysees
Protester holds a Brittany flag as 'Yellow vests' protesters clash with riot police amid tear gas on the Champs Elysees
Police are already battling accusations Friday of being heavy-handed, with a video of high-school pupils kneeling on the ground with their hands behind their heads causing widespread outrage
Police are already battling accusations Friday of being heavy-handed, with a video of high-school pupils kneeling on the ground with their hands behind their heads causing widespread outrage
Paris police are firing water cannons on yellow-vested protesters throwing flares and setting fires in one of the French capital's main shopping districts. Scattered clashes are continuing around the city as the protesters seek to reach the presidential palace and demand President Emmanuel Macron's resignation
Paris police are firing water cannons on yellow-vested protesters throwing flares and setting fires in one of the French capital's main shopping districts. Scattered clashes are continuing around the city as the protesters seek to reach the presidential palace and demand President Emmanuel Macron's resignation
'I don't want to have kids because I have trouble feeding myself, let alone another mouth,' the 25-year-old said, adding he came to Paris to demonstrate and 'defend myself.'
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner urged calm. 'I ask the yellow vests that want to bring about a peaceful message to not go with the violent people. We know that the violent people are only strong because they hide themselves within the yellow vests, which hampers the security forces,' he said Saturday.
Four people have been killed in accidents since the unrest began Nov. 17. Christmas markets, national soccer matches and countless other events have been canceled due to the protests.
While the situation is tense, police appear to have it more under control than a week ago, when rioting and looting overwhelmed Paris security forces
While the situation is tense, police appear to have it more under control than a week ago, when rioting and looting overwhelmed Paris security forces
Like several neighborhoods of Paris, the area is largely locked down, with many stores shuttered for fear of violence. Overall police estimate there are about 8,000 yellow vest protesters in Paris on Saturday, down from last week. Meanwhile the government deployed 8,000 police in the city, as part of exceptional security measures aimed at preventing a repeat of last week's rioting, which injured 130 people and struck a new blow to France's global image
Like several neighborhoods of Paris, the area is largely locked down, with many stores shuttered for fear of violence. Overall police estimate there are about 8,000 yellow vest protesters in Paris on Saturday, down from last week. Meanwhile the government deployed 8,000 police in the city, as part of exceptional security measures aimed at preventing a repeat of last week's rioting, which injured 130 people and struck a new blow to France's global image

French CRS riot police vehicles stand in place along the Printemps Department store during a national day of protest by the "yellow vests" movement in Paris
French CRS riot police vehicles stand in place along the Printemps Department store during a national day of protest by the 'yellow vests' movement in Paris
The protests, named after the high-visibility safety jackets French motorists have to keep in their cars, erupted in November over the squeeze on household budgets caused by fuel taxes. Demonstrations have since swelled into a broad, sometimes violent rebellion against Macron, a challenge made more difficult to handle since the movement has no formal leader 
The protests, named after the high-visibility safety jackets French motorists have to keep in their cars, erupted in November over the squeeze on household budgets caused by fuel taxes. Demonstrations have since swelled into a broad, sometimes violent rebellion against Macron, a challenge made more difficult to handle since the movement has no formal leader 

Authorities say the protests have been hijacked by far-right and anarchist elements bent on violence and stirring up social unrest in a direct affront to Macron and the security forces. 'We have prepared a robust response,' Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on Saturday. He called on peaceful protesters not to get mixed up with 'hooligans'
French police arrest a man during a Yellow Vests demonstration. Macron, whose popularity is at a low ebb according to polls, has been forced into making the first major U-turn of his presidency by abandoning a fuel tax. Despite the climbdown, the "yellow vests" continue to demand more concessions from the government, including lower taxes
French police arrest a man during a Yellow Vests demonstration. Macron, whose popularity is at a low ebb according to polls, has been forced into making the first major U-turn of his presidency by abandoning a fuel tax. Despite the climbdown, the 'yellow vests' continue to demand more concessions from the government, including lower taxes
Demonstrators wearing yellow vests march down the Champs Elysees holding the French tricolor in Paris
Demonstrators wearing yellow vests march down the Champs Elysees holding the French tricolor in Paris
Some 89,000 officers, as well as armoured vehicles, have taken position across the nation. There were 8,000 police in Paris alone. Saturday’s protests were predicted to be most dangerous yet
Some 89,000 officers, as well as armoured vehicles, have taken position across the nation. There were 8,000 police in Paris alone. Saturday's protests were predicted to be most dangerous yet
Macron, who has not spoken in public since he condemned last Saturday's disturbances while at the G20 summit in Argentina, will address the nation early next week, his office said
Macron, who has not spoken in public since he condemned last Saturday's disturbances while at the G20 summit in Argentina, will address the nation early next week, his office said
Officials are set to deploy 12 Berliet VXB-170s, which are usually equipped with a 7.62mm machine gun and a 56mm Alsetex Cougar grenade launcher
Officials are set to deploy 12 Berliet VXB-170s, which are usually equipped with a 7.62mm machine gun and a 56mm Alsetex Cougar grenade launcher
Macron has agreed to abandon the fuel tax hike that triggered the movement. However, protesters' demands have now expanded to other issues hurting French workers, retirees and students
Macron has agreed to abandon the fuel tax hike that triggered the movement. However, protesters' demands have now expanded to other issues hurting French workers, retirees and students
People face off with French Gendarmes as they demonstrate during a national day of protest by the "yellow vests" movement in Paris
People face off with French Gendarmes as they demonstrate during a national day of protest by the 'yellow vests' movement in Paris
About 5,000 people gathered on the Champs-Elysées and marched a short distance to a police cordon, where they stopped. There have been a few confrontations, with police firing tear gas at protesters in a side street as tensions flared
About 5,000 people gathered on the Champs-Elysées and marched a short distance to a police cordon, where they stopped. There have been a few confrontations, with police firing tear gas at protesters in a side street as tensions flared
Riot police clash with protesters wearing yellow vests on the Champs Elysee
Riot police clash with protesters wearing yellow vests on the Champs Elysee
Prized Paris monuments and normally bustling shopping meccas locked down Saturday and tens of thousands of police took position around France, fearing worsening violence in a new round of anti-government protests
Prized Paris monuments and normally bustling shopping meccas locked down Saturday and tens of thousands of police took position around France, fearing worsening violence in a new round of anti-government protests
A riot police holds a flashball gun during a protest of Yellow vests against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes, near the Champs Elysees in Paris
A riot police holds a flashball gun during a protest of Yellow vests against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes, near the Champs Elysees in Paris
A protestor wearing yellow vest kicks back a tear gas canister on the Champs Elysee in Paris
A protestor wearing yellow vest kicks back a tear gas canister on the Champs Elysee in Paris
Protesters also blocked roads, roundabouts and tollbooths elsewhere in France. Offshoot movements have emerged elsewhere, and yellow-vest protests were held Saturday in Belgium and the Netherlands.
U.S. President Donald Trump sought to fuel the anger in France, seizing the moment to criticize the Paris climate accord, which he is abandoning.
'People do not want to pay large sums of money ... in order to maybe protect the environment,' he tweeted.
Many economists and scientists, however, say higher fuel taxes are essential to saving the planet from worsening climate change. 

Which way forward for France’s “yellow vest” protests?

With the fourth Saturday of “yellow vest” protests against President Emmanuel Macron, a mass movement is clearly emerging among workers against the capitalist system. Macron’s withdrawal of the regressive fuel tax hike that initially triggered the protest resolved nothing. Among the “yellow vests,” demands for social equality, large wage increases, Macron’s ouster, eliminating the privileges of the super rich, an end to militarism, and for general strikes and a revolution are coming to the fore.
Claims that the Stalinist bureaucracy’s dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of the class struggle, the final triumph of capitalist democracy, or the End of History have been blown to pieces. As “yellow vest” protests spread from France to Belgium and the Netherlands, Bulgaria, and as far as Iraq—where workers in Basra donned yellow vests to protest NATO’s neocolonial regime—the international working class is emerging in struggle against the diktat of the banks.
Saturday’s massive crackdown was a searing lesson in the character of bourgeois democracy: as soon as there is any expression of genuine popular opposition, the guns come out. After riot police backed with military armored vehicles and water cannon kettled and assaulted peaceful protesters starting early in the day, violent clashes erupted in all France’s largest cities. A record 1,385 people were arrested.
The “yellow vest” protests are now at a critical stage. The movement has provoked a confrontation not just with the president of the rich, but the entire regime of the rich. Most leading figures in the “yellow vest” movement continue to turn down offers of talks from the political establishment: Macron’s token concessions, binding arbitration by the union bureaucracies, or proposals of an alliance from Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s Unsubmissive France party. The demonstrators also remain overwhelmingly popular.
The danger, however, is that without a clear political perspective and orientation for a broader struggle against Macron, the movement can be frittered away in fruitless protest actions, or subordinated to the maneuvers of the ruling elite.

The question of political leadership is central. It is significant that some “yellow vest” groups like that in Commercy are calling for building popular committees to decide upon and coordinate the activities of the movement. What is developing, in a highly embryonic form, is dual power. Against the bankers’ government, protected by its hordes of riot police, the specter of separate and opposed institutions, representing and organizing the workers in struggle, is beginning to emerge.
These events underscore the contemporary significance of Leon Trotsky’s call to form committees of action, just before the 1936 French general strike. Such bodies can unify strike struggles and protests by different sections of workers and youth, keep them from being isolated and sold out by the union bureaucracies, and provide a rallying point for the vast opposition among broader masses of workers. This provides a basis for mobilizing the deep opposition within the working class to the austerity drive by Macron and the European Union.
Trotsky stressed that for workers, such committees were the “only means of breaking the anti-revolutionary opposition of the trade union and party apparatus.” This is critical today, as workers run straight into the vicious hostility of the unions and allied political parties of the affluent middle class. These forces are desperate to preserve their privileges, by blocking an independent struggle of the working class against Macron and his government of the rich.
Not a single established political tendency in France has responded to the “yellow vest” movement, which objectively raises the issue of a challenge to the capitalist system, in a progressive manner. Daniel Cohn-Bendit, the middle-class student leader in May 1968, shamelessly slandered it as fascistic, telling Germany’s taz newpaper that “the large majority of the yellow vest movement comes from the National Front, from the reservoir of the extreme right.”

Stalinist General Confederation of Labor (CGT) union leader Philippe Martinez insinuated the same thing, darkly hinting that the “yellow vests” are “people we can’t be seen with.” Now, after calling off a truckers’ strike, the CGT is calling a symbolic, one-day rail strike on December 14.
The middle-class New Anticapitalist Party (NPA) aims to use this cynical maneuver to drive the “yellow vests” into the grip of the unions. It called on “yellow vests” to ask Martinez to let them join a general strike controlled by the CGT: “Combative unions and yellow vests should ask or even impose this perspective on the national union leaderships, starting with a real general strike call for the ‘yellow vest’ protest on December 14.”
Under cover of such maneuvers, the ruling class hopes to subordinate the protesters to the unions and the state machine. “The entire political system is shaken,” the Journal du dimanche wrote, but Saturday’s police repression “has given the government maneuvering room, a breath of fresh air.” It hailed the fact that Prime Minister Edouard Philippe concluded his brief speech on Saturday night by saying: “And now for dialog!”
The “yellow vest” protesters are fully justified in their mistrust of all those who try to tie them to fruitless, reactionary deals with Macron. There is nothing to negotiate with Macron, the ruthless representative of the banks; begging the capitalist politicians sitting in the National Assembly to serve the people will likewise bring only disappointment.
The critical task is a political struggle against the Macron government and the power of the banks. In this era of globalized capitalism and international finance, trade and supply chains, this signifies an international struggle on the basis of a genuine socialist program: to expropriate the obscene fortunes of the financial aristocracy, and place the resources of world economy under the democratic control of working people.
This program flows from the objective tasks posed by the upsurge of the class struggle: across Europe, the mounting social anger and strike activity in every country tends towards the eruption of a general strike.
The task of organizing a general strike against the European Union, Macron and similar governments across Europe cannot be left to the unions, who are hostile to the movement and will not carry it out. The way forward is the formation of committees of action that can prepare and lay the basis in the working class for a real general strike, in France and across Europe, carried out in opposition to the maneuvers of the unions and the pseudo-left parties.

Alex Lantier



Americans, Learn From The Yellow Jackets: Stop Running And Start Fighting Back


In France, the Yellow Jackets (or “Gilets Jaunes” in French) have rushed into the streets in massive numbers. They are not protesting cuts in the generous entitlements. They are not throwing fits because they fear losing one-month paid vacations. The fight is about the increased fuel taxesexorbitant taxes on top of the already high cost of fuel. 
But it’s more. The Macron government, an aloof, elitism regime, is pushing a globalist, pro-EU agenda, one which is crippling the quality of life for working Frenchmen, especially in rural areas and small towns. Mass migration, bureaucratic wrangling, massive crime and unemployment with minimal police presence are raving the country. Sadly, this is history repeating itself as farce. Like now, Western and Northern France rebelled during the French Revolution. The bloodthirsty Jacobins, lead by cat-like Robespierre, seized power from the French King, but their so-called reforms in the name of social justice ended up hurting the very working people they claimed to care about 
The unrest is also targeting the inflexible, unaccountable EU bureaucracyBelgian Yellow Jackets are protesting the main offices in Maastricht and Brussels. Europeans have started to realize that the federalization of the continent is not working out as they had hoped. A common currency, a common market has turned into communistic micromanaging. The economically stronger countries are expected to carry the costs of the fiscally weaker nations. The central planners want open borders, cheap labor, and the resolute silencing of any disagreement to their plans. A federalized Europe is not working out. A Frenchman cannot run to Portugal, Spain, or Italy to escape the moral and fiscal ruin of his home country. French voters have no choice but to fight back for their rights and dignity in their home countries. 
France’s Yellow Jacket revolt is spreading into the Netherlands as well. The Dutchmen are just as animated, but less violent, expressing pent-up outrage over similar issues: excessive taxes, open borders, but also a stifling culture of political correctness. This subtle anti-free speech tyranny has inhibited a healthy exploration of difficult issues, but has hindered public safety. Islamic militants among the teeming masses of refugees are overwhelming Europe, undermining the tenuous social fabric of the Western World and bringing rampant acts of terrorism in their wake. Islamic preachers call publicly for full-on conquest Europe, the imposition of Sharia law, and with it the casting out of freedom, the democratic process, and civil rights for all. However, law-abiding citizens face criminal penalties for criticizing Islam, Allah, or for calling out the violent tendencies advocated for in the Koran. This injustice cannot stand any longer, so the people are taking to the streets. 
Even in Canada, a small yet growing contingent of Yellow Jacket protests are gathering in different urban centers, including Calgary, Alberta and Ottawa, Ontario: the federal seat of the national government. They are protesting Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s carbon tax scheme. They are also rising up against Trudeau’s lax defense and border control policies. Seven conservative provincial premiers are pushing back against the federal government’s insistence on taking in large numbers of Middle Eastern refugees, but refusing to pick up the costs for this program. 
Throughout the Western World, people are clamoring for the freedom to speak out against Islam, against the aggressive secular agenda invading their schools and the government. In general, they are forcefully denouncing the rogue cult of progressivism. As the taxes and dead bodies pile up, as the degradation of the public square becomes more prominent, the citizens are pushing back.  
Contrast these European uprisings with the United States. Instead of fighting big statism, Americans are fleeing their home state in droves. Californians are in mass exodus, including members of my own family. If they don’t like the blue state bureaucracy, American citizens enjoy the luxury of moving to a red state. And yet, this intra-migration process is hitting a brick wall. Some reliably red states have been trending blue over the last ten years. After Election 2018, progressives are targeting more of them. 
One contact from New Mexico just witnessed this Democratic resurgence. The lone Republican Congressman, Steve Pearce, lost his bid for governor, and his seat flipped blue (likely due to voter fraud, but no one’s fighting it). “I am planning on moving out of here,” she told me. But I had to ask: “Where do you plan to go?” Arizona suffered some Democratic wins. Wisconsin and Michigan will have Democrats installed in statewide offices next year. Republicans still control those state legislatures for now, but for how much longer? Even ruby-red Kansas just elected a Democratic Governor. Another friend (who had relocated to the Sunflower State) expressed shock and disdain, even though he enjoys the much lower cost of living. “Kansas City is getting more liberal now. The cancer is spreading everywhere!” Yesterday, a Townhall columnist wrote a steadied piece on the full-on Democratic takeover of Virginia in the last decade, too. I visited there last yearit felt like Los Angeles, only worse. Americans are finding that there are fewer places where they can flee from state’s oppressive governments. 
Americans better learn the lesson and follow the example of their Yellow Jacket peers: assert your rights in your home states. Running to Texas is not the final answer. Texas is combatting a blue undercurrent already. The seduction of socialism, which gives way to the specter of communism, has possessed the minds of college students there as well as in California, Oregon, and Washington State. Don’t flee, fight back, Americans. It’s time to Make America Great Again, not just find a redder state to retire in.  
The Founding Fathers didn’t pull up stakes and flee west of the Appalachian Mountains when the British Empire exacted higher taxes while denying the American colonists’ equal representation in parliament. If American citizens don’t like what they see happening at the local level or the state level in their home states, they need to start fighting back, because there are fewer places to run to.


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