Ninth week – and every frenchman thinks the protests should continue

About 84.000 people participated in the Yellow västarnas (Gilets jaunes) demonstrations around France, according to French police. A clear increase compared with the previous Saturday, when 50,000 people went out on the streets. More than 240 people were arrested by the police.

like a cat-and-mouse game with small groups of gulklädda activists and fast-moving police. One of the activists was the 43-year-old barnskötaren Kingston, who had travelled in from a suburb west of Paris.

"You in the media talking so much about the violence, but it is just a reaction to all the violence we are exposed to daily," she says while the tear gas and the water cannon is inserted against the violent activists, a block away.

" My husband is black and was stopped by police outside Paris for the first time when he was 17 years old. When this is repeated year after year – or if you are forced to live in straitened circumstances for a long time – then it grows, a frustration that eventually explodes, adds Kingston.

Image 1 of 2 the 43-year-old Emmanuelle wants to have a ”transition” Photo: Erik de la Reguera. the Slide 2 of 2 Paul, 28 years old, want to have a more direct democracy. Photo: Erik de la Reguera Slideshow

against an increase in petrol and diesel, but has turned into a general protest against the Macron. This week seemed, however, fewer of the demonstrators to be visiting from small towns. Some of them may instead have gone to Bourges, a city in central France, where a large manifestation was held.

On Monday, president of Macros to publish a ”letter to the French”, which is supposed to be the start of a national consultations with debates and a web portal where citizens will be consulted.

" But it is not enough. We want a system change – something totally new, " says Kingston, who describes himself as ”neither right or left; just a man”.

Image 1 of 2 A large manifestation was held on Saturday in Bourges, a city in central France. Photo: Guillaume Souvant/AFP Slide 2 of 2 It went violently to the in Bourges on Saturday. Photo: Guillaume Souvant Slideshow

He has never demonstrated before, but the slides are now up on roller skates in the yellow vest and with a French trikolor in the hands.

" I earn 1,800 euros a month (about 18,000 dollars), so I'm not poor. But I think that we have a democratic deficit. Macron is so arrogant and thinks just like the rich. We need more direct democracy and medborgarinitierade referendums, " he says – and repeats thus, a common requirement among the activists.

the Government is skeptical to allow ordinary citizens to initiate referendums. A fear is that vested interests, that those who oppose same-sex marriage, or want to reintroduce the death penalty to use it to force votes.

but has dropped to 60 percent. Only every other frenchman now wants the protests to continue.

" I can sympathize with some of the requirements, but the violence is totally unacceptable. I am sick and tired of it now – you must be able to think and talk also, not just destroy, " says 49-year-old Emmanuelle, who live in the vicinity of the arc de triomphe.

out of fear Of the activists to attack her house and the street she does not want to give his last name.