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‘I will never accept violence,’ Macron says after Paris protests
BUENOS AIRES, Dec 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – French President Emmanuel Macron on
Saturday denounced protesters against him as chaos-seekers, as the growing
demonstrations first triggered by planned fuel price hikes turned violent.
“I will never accept violence,” Macron told a news conference at the G20
summit in Buenos Aires amid the massive “yellow vest” demonstrations.
“No cause justifies that authorities are attacked, that businesses are
plundered, that passers-by or journalists are threatened or that the Arc du
Triomphe is defiled,” he said.
Macron has tried to focus in Buenos Aires on global affairs, seeking to
lead like-minded countries in taking action on challenges such as climate
change in the face of resistance from US President Donald Trump.
But he was repeatedly forced to address the crisis at home, even if he
took pains not to say “yellow vests” — the emergency jackets that have
become the emblems of the movement initially sparked by Macron’s push for a
low-carbon economy.
“Those guilty of this violence don’t want change, they don’t want
improvements, they want chaos. They betray the causes that they pretend to
serve and which they manipulate,” Macron said.
“They will be identified and brought to justice for their actions,” he
said.
Macron said he will convene a meeting on the situation with his prime
minister and interior minister for Sunday morning when he returns to Paris.
“I will always respect debate and I will always listen to opposition but I
will never accept violence,” Macron said.
The protests first sprouted up in rural France among citizens who say
higher fuel taxes are an urban luxury that they cannot afford.
The movement has since spread into a broader movement against Macron’s
rule.
Macron had an unpleasant surprise at the very start of his trip to Buenos
Aires — his plane door was opened by an airport worker clad in a yellow
vest.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0846 hrs