It's a Topsy Turvy World.
A Unique Way to Protest
POLITICS
Joan
11/23/20232 min read
"Someone has been playing a joke," I announced, as we passed through the village on our way into town yesterday. "Our village sign has been turned upside down." Sure enough, on our return, there it was on the opposite side of the road. St Etienne de Gourgas was standing on its head. Whereas on our side of the road , all was as normal. What on earth was going on?
Further research was to reveal all. Since last month, two main farmers' unions have been protesting in this way. Throughout France villages have been turned on their heads. In our own department of Hérault , 300 panels have been overturned. But what are these protests about? It would seem that they concern a lot of things such as higher taxes and charges, increasingly strict regulations, and more and more environmental demands that cause extra work. In short , it would seem that many of France's farmers are fed up. As they say, this is an excellent way to draw attention to their complaints without causing too much disruption. I have to agree .
However, in 2018 another protest movement arose from a single petition which attracted nearly one million signatures. People were protesting against fuel taxes, the rising cost of living and inequality. Their fast expanding movement became known as the Gilets Jaunes, and unlike the agriculturalists, their methods became highly disruptive, and their list of complaints seemed to grow and grow. Although my first instinct is to support the economically disadvantaged , I confess that I grew impatient with them.
The gilets jaunes movement has just celebrated its fifth anniversary. Now that their protests have largely died down, we must ask what they managed to achieve. In spite of some concessions on fuel and electricity prices , their spokesperson points out that their demands still apply , such as social and fiscal justice, the end of privileges, return of the wealth tax, and an improvement to the cost of living. As far as these demands go, I can only concur.
