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Agence France-Presse

The protests against President Emmanuel Macron may have eased in the run-up to Christmas, but dozens of demonstrators camping at roundabouts across France are vowing to keep up the pressure, with no plans to go home for the holidays.
Devilled eggs, foie gras and a traditional buche de Noel cake for dessert.
“We wouldn’t have all this if we celebrated Christmas at home,” said Xavier, a 44-year-old at a roundabout in Somain, northern France.

He was among about 30 people having dinner before Christmas Eve mass on Monday night, savouring the generosity of supporters who donated the delicacies, as well as the new-found camaraderie forged in the “yellow vest” movement.
“At the beginning we were protesting against fuel prices, but we’ve become friends and tell ourselves, ‘We’re not all alone’,” said Christine, 51.
Since erupting on social media in October, the grass roots campaign has ballooned into widespread anger over rising costs of living and Macron’s perceived neglect of struggling families.
French President Emmanuel Macron calls for order after ‘yellow vest’ attack on police
Mass demonstrations launched on November 17 spiralled into vandalism and violent clashes in Paris and other cities, posing the biggest challenge for Macron since his May 2017 election.
“The thing which brings us all together is that we’re sick and tired of struggling,” Alexandre, a 38-year-old labourer, said at the roundabout in Somain, alongside his wife and two children.
A new protest has been called for December 31 in Paris on the Champs-Elysees, where tens of thousands of tourists and locals traditionally gather to ring in the new year.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe promised to “restore order” after the latest violence on Saturday night, when three police on motorcycles had to flee dozens of attackers on the capital’s iconic avenue.
The protests have enjoyed widespread public approval, especially in areas like Somain, which has been hit hard by the decline of coal mining and other heavy industry in northern France.
‘Old demons are reawakening’: France’s Macron warns of rising nationalism during Remembrance Day ceremony for world leaders
Protesters themselves say their movement has fostered a new-found sense of community and solidarity.
“It’s my second family,” said Laurent, brandishing a French flag around a fire next to his 19-year-old son, Kevin. “We’ve got used to seeing each other every day for a month now.”

“In the beginning I didn’t know anyone, but we’ve become a family – that’s the only good thing Macron has done, to bring people closer together,” said Christophe Damiens, next to a sign saying “Macron, Scram!” “The more he squeezes us, the more people will be here, even more united.”
Macron says he has heard their demands, and cancelled fuel tax increases set for January while offering a minimum wage increase along with other financial relief.
Macron still silent as France cleans up after more ‘catastrophic’ protests
But many yellow vests, so-called for the high-visibility safety vests drivers must keep in the cars, say it’s not enough, calling for further tax cuts, Swiss-style citizen referendums – and Macron’s resignation.
“That guy, he eats caviar with the soldiers, but he should come see his citizens, and listen to us,” said Jean-Luc Leclerc, a retired forklift operator, referring to Macron’s Christmas visit to French soldiers in Chad last weekend – though no press coverage mentioned caviar.

But Macron has struggled to shake off his reputation as an elite Parisian “president of the rich”, eating at fancy restaurants and unable to understand the monthly struggle of millions to make ends meet.
Father Joseph Nurchi, wearing a yellow vest, assured the Somain protesters “the Church is on the side of the losers” as he prepared to celebrate mass.
“I wanted to be next to the most vulnerable tonight,” he said. “It’s a revolt that has moved me.”


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Emmanuel Macron

French protesters band together like a family for Christmas after weeks of anti-government unrest

Yellow vest protestors eating at a roundabout on Christmas eve in Somain, northern France. Photo: AFP

CORRECTION - Priest Joseph Nurchi (R) prepares for a Christmas mass for yellow vests protestors near a roundabout in Somain, northern France, where they spend Christmas eve on December 24, 2018. - French President called for "order" on December 22, 2018 after a sixth weekend of "yellow vest" anti-government protests. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP) / The erroneous mention appearing in the metadata of this photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Priest Joseph Nurchi] instead of [Priest Joseph Nurcho]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention from all your online services and delete it from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt ac

TOPSHOT - Yellow vests protestors stand near a sign reading "Thank you for honking" as they spend Christmas eve on a roundabout in Somain, northern France, on December 24, 2018. - French President called for "order" on December 22, 2018 after a sixth weekend of "yellow vest" anti-government protests. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP)

A Yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) anti-government protester, wearing a Father Christmas hat, is arrested by French police at the Arc de Triumph in central Paris on December 24, 2018. - French President Emmanuel Macron called for "order" on December 23, 2018, after a sixth weekend of "yellow vest" anti-government protests that saw dwindling participation and a violent attack on police in Paris. (Photo by Zakaria ABDELKAFI / AFP)

CORRECTION - Priest Joseph Nurchi prepares for a Christmas mass for yellow vests protestors near a roundabout in Somain, northern France, where they spend Christmas eve on December 24, 2018. - French President called for "order" on December 22, 2018 after a sixth weekend of "yellow vest" anti-government protests. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP) / The erroneous mention appearing in the metadata of this photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Priest Joseph Nurchi] instead of [Priest Joseph Nurcho]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention from all your online services and delete it from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action

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‘The only good thing Macron has done [is] bring people closer together,’ said one protester. ‘The more he squeezes us, the more people [are] united’


‘The only good thing Macron has done [is] bring people closer together,’ said one protester. ‘The more he squeezes us, the more people [are] united’.


France

French protesters band together like a family for Christmas after weeks of anti-government unrest

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}‘The only good thing Macron has done [is] bring people closer together,’ said one protester. ‘The more he squeezes us, the more people [are] united’

‘The only good thing Macron has done [is] bring people closer together,’ said one protester. ‘The more he squeezes us, the more people [are] united’