“France is not for sale!” © Reuters / Jean-Paul Pelissier
‘Officials’ worst nightmare’: Yellow Vests hope to trigger bank run with financial protest
“If the banks weaken, the state weakens immediately,” said Yellow Vest “sympathizer” Tahz San on Facebook. “It’s elected officials’ worst nightmare.”
Protesters plan to empty their bank accounts on Saturday, withdrawing as much money as possible in a bid to undermine the French banks – if not the euro itself. The plan is to “scare the state legally and without violence,” forcing the government to adopt the movement’s Citizens’ Referendum Initiative, which would allow citizens to propose and vote on new laws.
“We are going to get our bread back…you’re making money with our dough, and we’re fed up,” said protester Maxime Nicolle in a video message shared on YouTube.
A well-coordinated financial action has the potential to bring the French banking system – and by extension the euro – to its knees, as banks always hold only a fraction of the funds the country’s citizens have in their accounts. However, most banks limit ATM withdrawals to a relatively low amount, meaning protesters would have to line up inside the banks to withdraw the rest of their money, giving the state plenty of time to place restrictions on withdrawals – though this would, no doubt, spark further protest.
The financial demonstration is a novel means of circumventing Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s proposed crackdown on “unauthorized protests,” announced earlier this week after a particularly violent weekend of clashes with armed riot police – including an unexpected appearance by boxer Christophe Dettinger. Philippe has promised 80,000 security forces will be deployed for the next protest.
ALSO ON RT.COMFrance’s crackdown on protesters: ‘Govt has nothing to offer except blood, sweat & tears’Meanwhile, there is tension within the movement itself, as some former protest leaders call for a political solution.
The government has urged the protesters to make their voices heard in a national debate instead of demonstrating in the streets as they have done for the last two months. The debate, scheduled for next week, will cover climate change, “democratic issues,” taxes and public services.
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Noone can hijack this Yellow Vest movement. It is an amzing thing. It’s a non political movement. No far right no far left. It’s the people movement. It’s pretty amazing.Reply356 Likes
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zinga2018LeaderPoatyEditedI hope so, especially because they shouldn’t have announced what they will do giving plenty of time for the government to take action to mitigate or negate the impact. They have already said they’d do it on Saturday a lot of time between now and then don’t you think? Nobody thought about this you think?Reply52 Likes
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PoatyLeaderzinga2018EditedI don’t think that they will make a cash withdrawal. But, Yellow Vest want to remove a law of 1973 called Pompidou-Rotschild law which force France to make loans with private banks. Plus, they want to impose a civic referendum. That’s why nobody can hijack this movement. They want this two things to be done. Tsipras didn’t do it in Greece. Salavani didn’t do it in Italia. Italia is loaning money with 3.8% interest. Italia will not last.Reply76 Likes
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zinga2018LeaderPoatyEditedI understand what you are saying, However, you think they can win their demands when the government has plenty of time to avoid the full impact of their actions? Why do it if they don’t want the government to feel the full impact? Without feeling the pain chances of getting what you want to get will reduce don’t you think?Reply18 Likes
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PoatyLeaderEditedYellow Vest protesters nailed it perfectly. You will never see something like in other another country that, except in Greece, the homeland of our prophet Socrates. But Greece is not enough powerful to make a difference. France is a key player. You will never see that in USA because basically, Americans think that all their problems are due to people in Iraq and SyriaReply170 Likes
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est 338LapuaLeaderPoatyEditedexpect m o s s a d hit squad to do terror attacks on next demonstrations, expect hired french mercs on jevvs payrol or jevvSIS dress up terror party to divert public attentionReply135 Likes
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ObserverSep11Leaderest 338LapuaAlso what I thinkReply46 Likes
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Camp 4LeaderObserverSep11Editedmake no mistake, Greeks had a great role in the European awakening. Trust the plan, its global not local. Nothing is coincidence…Reply52 Likes
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Snooze AwakeLeaderEditedFrench govt made the mistake of threatening to introduce laws that will criminalize their protests. And they respond with a threat that is devastating and intelligent. Respect to these Yellow Vests. They’re intelligent and know exactly what they want. Time to form a political party or have some kind of cover that gives them legitimacy and protection from being treated as ordinary protesters to be arrested and locked upReply127 Likes
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zinga2018LeaderSnooze AwakeAgree 100%. However, hope I am wrong in my ASSUMPTION. Looks like the movement is infiltrated. Again, hope I am WRONG.Reply32 Likes
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Lee PicciniLeaderzinga2018Edited.. of course they are infiltrated , any.monies involved enterprises usually are ,, that’s why we have insurance / gold.bond companies .// ..Reply17 Likes
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