STILL THERE Four years after the outbreak of this unprecedented social movement, irreducible “yellow vests” are still camped near a roundabout in the Toulouse countryside . They do not despair of a new conflagration
In Villefranche-de-Lauragais, the cabin of the “yellow vests” has not moved for four years. Diehards hold hotlines there every Tuesday evening and “visibility actions” every other Saturday. — H. Menal
- On November 17, 2018, the anger of the “yellow vests” broke out in France, triggering a social movement unprecedented in its scope, its duration, and, sometimes, its violence.
- Four years later, while prices flames, roundabouts are still busy and many anniversary events are announced for Saturday, November 19.
- In Villefranche-de-Lauragais, south-east of Toulouse, irreducible “yellow vests” still occupy a shed. They organize weekly hotlines and remake the world there, convinced that the embers of the revolt are still smoldering.
When he gets off his big motorbike, Thierry still has his thick leather jacket. But at barely did he put down with his foot on the floor of the cabin, even before sitting down around the table with the corners cut off, he swaps it for his yellow vest, the required attire in this HQ made of pallets and planks. Four years after the popular conflagration, the “chalet” of Villefranche-de-Lauragais, south-east of Toulouse, is still there. Planted very close to the large roundabout, thanks to the the indulgence of the private owner; of the plot. The hut is even considerably equipped, with its gazebo, its garden area around a wooden spool table and its dry toilets.
But the panorama has not changed; since November 2018: the departmental road and the car park of a supermarket disused – where they saw “a 70-year-old grandpa sleeping in his car for a month” –, and whose gas station is still operating. This Tuesday evening, the luminous panel displays the diesel fuel at; 1,829 euros. We are at the day before the rebate melts. “When it all started on November 17, 1998, he was at 1.50 euro. Prices are skyrocketing. And, who knows why, no one is moving anymore, the cowardly Antonio* who has just parked his van on his way home from work, unloaded some equipment and put on, too, his vest.
““How can you be happy in a system like this?”
Statement of failure? “There was the bonus, ironically called the Macron bonus, but which is in fact the “yellow vests” bonus and then there were a lot of liberticidal and anti-social laws, they even tested a future dictatorship with the health pass,” sums up Antonio soberly. Without getting discouraged. “A revolt,çit takes on a spark, we are here;” to maintain the embers.” “We don’t know when but çit will come, inevitably,” to his bank card and never listen to the news again. “We may be a bit crazy, but how can you be happy in a system like this?” before placing a jar of mirabelle plum jam on the table. “If we’re still here, it’s in resistance to a system that mistreats the poor” , explains Antonio. “With corrupt people all floors,” continues Christine.
The ““yellow vests” du Lauragais are ready to demonstrate at; Toulouse this Saturday, November 19, four years after the conflagration of their movement. – H. Ménal
These three “yellow vests” don’t have much in common. They recognize that they would never have crossed paths without their chasubles, and are content for the rest of the week to “watch over the group” to distance. Yet they finish each other’s sentences, seek assent in their comrades’ eyes before bursting into flames. A complicity built up in four years of debates, of AG “inter roundabouts” with the people of Tarn and Toulouse, and over “visibility actions” twice-monthly on Saturday or even the famous Tuesday evening hotlines, around a pack of beer and a thermos of coffee. “We don’t agree on everything but we agree on the essentials,” said Antonio.
Dozens of Toulouse demonstrations, at the forefront, “ ” take the tear gas and the disencirclement grenades” have also tightened the links. “There are things that we have been through and wonder if they really happened,” says the calm Thierry, who admits to having come out “ ”tired, morally and physically, from the episode.
“I love Macron” or happy honking
The hard core of the group “Lauragais angry” consists of of about ten people. “We are roughly between 40 and 60 years old,” said Antonio. “And more than half are working,” he adds as if to ward off the “Go work instead, you lazy people”!” sometimes launched by motorists, jets of cans at; support. Vandals even painted “I love Macron” in their cabin this summer. But these manifestations of hostility are much less common than honking, which rises joyfully and numerous this Tuesday evening from the departmental.
In Villefranche, four years later, the “ yellow vests” are part of the decor. And at time to put their masks back on. gas and their swimming goggles to beat, for the first time in a long time, the pavement. Saturday to Toulouse, they do not despair of “another democracy. A real”.
* The first name has been changed. changed