French Protests Against Gasoline Taxes Go on for Third Day

(Bloomberg) -- Protests against gasoline taxes in France continued for a third day Monday with sporadic actions around the country, according to media reports.

Depots near Rennes, La Rochelle, and Marseille were being obstructed, France Bleu radio reported. A highway to Belgium, as well as highway stretches near Belfort in the east and Lyon in the south were also being blocked.

A grassroots movement branded "Gilets Jaunes" or Yellow Vests organized a national “Day of Action” Saturday when about 300,000 protesters threw up about 2,000 roadblocks. One person was killed when a driver forced a barrier, and hundreds were injured or arrested. On Sunday, about 40,000 protesters threw up about 150 roadblocks across the country.

The protests were organized on social media and lack any central organization.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe went on television Sunday night to vow that the government won’t bow to the protests and roll back gasoline levies, arguing that other tax cuts have reduced the overall burden on taxpayers. He also warned the police could be sent in to lift blockades. “France is a land of free expression but it is not a country of anarchy, and there were scenes of anarchy,” Philippe said.

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