The demonstrations come after a new law that makes the passage of Corona mandatory to enter more places.
Earlier this week, the French Constitutional Court ruled in favor of President Emmanuel Macron that creating a Corona passport with benefits for those who have been vaccinated or tested negative is in line with the law.
Demonstrators marched through the streets of western Paris on Saturday surrounded by riot police. Three more demonstrations were planned elsewhere in the capital.
In Paris there were 17,000 people demonstrating, while in Nice there were between 10,000 and 20,000 in the streets. In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in the south of France, nearly 40 thousand people demonstrated.
Extend the rules
Before, the Corona requirements pass for cinemas, concerts and theme parks, among others, while they will be extended starting Monday to include restaurants, cafes, long-distance travel and in some cases hospitals.
The passport is very controversial and restricts access to cinemas, restaurants, and intercity trains for those who refuse to be vaccinated. Thousands took to the streets with slogans that Macron is a healthy dictator.
The Constitutional Court is the supreme authority on whether new laws are compatible with the Constitution. The court approved both the Corona passport and the decision that all healthcare professionals should be vaccinated against COVID-19.
– under pressure
34-year-old Alexandre Forez makes his debut this weekend and says he himself has been injured.
– He tells The Associated Press that the problem with the health card is that we’re under stress, and adds that he doubts it will just be a temporary arrangement.
According to the French Interior Ministry, more than 200,000 demonstrated last week, while more than 160,000 demonstrated in the previous weekend. Although many of those protesting have not been vaccinated, there are many who oppose the Corona passport in principle.
“Organizer. Social media geek. General communicator. Bacon scholar. Proud pop culture trailblazer.”