French police fired teargas as thousands of "yellow vest" protesters marched through Paris on Saturday, Feb. 2, on the 12th consecutive weekend of action against the government — despite opinion polls pointing to a recovery in President Emmanuel Macron's popularity.
Between 10,000 and about 14,000 people demonstrated in the capital, according to police and independent media estimates. Riot police used tear gas to disperse some protesters who set bins and a scooter on fire, although the situation remained relatively calm compared to previous weekends.
The protests — named after the fluorescent jackets French motorists are required to carry in their cars — began in mid-November over plans to raise fuel taxes before developing into a broader revolt against the government that have mobilized tens of thousands of demonstrators nationwide each Saturday.
