Justin Bullock, FISM News
France has experienced its third week in a row of nationwide protests against the COVID-19 health pass policies instituted by President Emmanuel Macron. On Saturday the protests turned violent in Paris as protestors clashed with police and injured three of them. Macron recently mandated that a health pass is required for residents to use public spaces like museums, cinemas, and swimming pools.
This health pass functions in the same way as a passport would as it includes information with respect to whether or not the individual has been vaccinated. Unvaccinated individuals will not be allowed to enter public spaces or participate in public events. In effect, the health pass mandates that all residents in France become vaccinated in order to participate in public life.
Many French citizens have voiced outrage over these new mandates and have taken to the streets in protest. Similar to the yellow vest protests of 2018, the health pass protests are growing larger and becoming more boisterous each week. Citizens have said that the health passes violate human rights associated with freedom and liberty. They have further indicated that the health pass policies are creating a segregated society where those who have decided not to receive the vaccine are being treated worse than those who have received it.
The protests are also expected to continue for weeks and become larger and potentially even more dangerous. This is because the French government, rather than taking a fresh look at the idea of the health pass, are doubling down on the health pass. The French Parliament recently passed a law expanding the requirements to bars, restaurants, trade shows, trains, and hospitals. This will not sit well with a large portion of French citizens, and protests are expected to continue until a change is made.