Reuters. Thousands of people protested in Paris and other French cities on Saturday against the requirement for a mandatory health card to enter a number of public places, which was introduced by the government in its fight against a fourth wave of infections.
The protesters wounded three policemen in Paris, according to a spokesman for the institution.
It was the third weekend in a row that people opposed to President Emmanuel Macron’s new COVID-19 measures have taken to the streets, a rare show of determination at a time of year when many people she’s focused on taking summer vacations.
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“We are creating a segregated society and it seems incredible to me that this is done in the country of human rights,” said Anne, a teacher protesting in Paris who did not want to give her last name.
“So I went out into the street; I’ve never protested before in my life. I think our freedom is in danger, “he added.
Visitors to museums, cinemas or swimming pools are already denied entry if they cannot present the health card, which shows that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or that they have tested negative in a recent test.
The National Assembly this week approved a new law that will make vaccination mandatory for health personnel and will extend the requirement of the health card to bars, restaurants, fairs, trains and hospitals.
Police estimated some 13,500 people demonstrated on the streets of Paris, another police spokesman said.
Some 3,000 police officers were deployed in the capital, and riot police worked to keep protesters on authorized routes.
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The protesters also came out in other cities such as Marseille, Lyon, Montpelier, Nantes and Toulouse, shouting “Freedom!” and “No to the health pass!”.