Demonstrations in Paris Continue against the Sanitary Pass Macron proposed and for Liberty

Demonstrations in Paris Continue against the Sanitary Pass Macron proposed

and for Liberty

by Jane Rosenstein

                                            Demonstration at Trocadero  July 24,2021

Photo credit  Marie-Noël David Pichon

Demonstrations took place in France on July 17, July 24 and July 31, 2021 against the sanitary pass.The pass indicates whether a person has had a complete vaccination, recovered recently from Covid 19 or tested negative for Covid 19.

On July 31 there were 204,090 demonstrators in France verses the previous week’s total of 161,000 of which 14,250 were in Paris verses 11,000 the previous week;  In France there  were 150 demonstrations, 4 of which were in Paris.

The demonstrators are protesting for liberty to choose whether or not to get the vaccine and not be forced into taking the Covid19 test if they have not been completely vaccinated. The pass is available on mobile telephones and on paper.

People say that those who are not vaccinated are being discriminated against as they need to get tested before going on long distance trains and airplanes,concerts, movies and starting August 9 to eat inside restaurants and also on the terraces outside.  . Movies have 60% less attendence.

All health workers are going to be forced to have a vaccine if they want to continue working. The demonstrators are against this.

President Macron said that the Covid 19 vaccine would be mandatory for all health services personnel

Demonstrators incuded families, young people and older people. Most of the demonstrations were peaceful.

The date of the COVID 19 test having to be paid for is not known but maybe October 1. Currently it is free with the French national health insurance.The 15 min.antigen  Covid 19 test is performed in pharmacies and also in tents set up for tests. There are tents on almost every block.

Jean-Luc Mélénchon, a deputy from Bouches-du-Rhone stated that the sanitary pass is a control which is absurd and dangerous;  He called it a Pass Authoritaire   (Authority Pass).

The demonstrators want liberty to choose if they get the vaccine or not and fear more government control.  They are being encouraged to march again next Saturday.

Jane Rosenstein

Jane Rosenstein is a U.S. citizen living in Paris, France. She is a professional translator/interpreter. She is the owner of The International Connection which does international marketing consultation including sales of wine, interpretation, and translation. She enjoys the cultural life that living in Paris offers and has talents in organizing events. She speaks English, French, and Spanish.

She has a B.S. degree in mathematics from University of Pittsburgh and an M.B.A. degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA.