France TV Publishes 2018 Police Footage of Yellow Vest Protests

Surveillance footage recently surfaced, providing new details regarding police actions during Yellow Vests protests in Paris in 2018. The footage was reported by France TV, ahead of the trial of nine riot police officers scheduled to begin shortly.

December 2018 Events

The video documents events that occurred on December 1, 2018, during the third day of nationwide Yellow Vests protests. Demonstrators sought refuge inside a Burger King restaurant after tear gas was deployed in Place Charles-de-Gaulle. Dozens of protesters entered the restaurant to escape the gas.

Police Intervention and Subsequent Actions

Shortly after the protesters took shelter, CRS riot police entered the restaurant to clear the premises. The footage shows officers striking protesters and a journalist with batons, with the incidents captured by the restaurant’s security cameras.

Impact on Protesters

One protester, identified as Manon, described experiencing overwhelming tear gas exposure before entering the restaurant. She stated that she and her partner sought refuge after hearing a voice instructing them to enter. Another protester, Olivier, reported being struck 27 times.

Legal Proceedings and Perspectives

Manon is preparing to attend the trial of the nine officers, who face potential sentences of up to seven years in prison. Paul, another demonstrator, expressed concern that accusations continue to be directed at the victims and advocated for the case to be viewed as a broader social issue. Olivier stated that the video evidence is crucial to giving his account credibility and enabling the trial to proceed.