Tens of thousands of people in
France protested on Saturday against tightened
coronavirus rules, the sixth consecutive weekend they have come out to demonstrate.
Around 200
demonstrations were called across the country. Most of them were peaceful, but in Montpellier, in the south of
France, there were scuffles between left and right-wing participants, as TV footage showed.
In addition to
compulsory vaccination for health workers, the protests were against the so-called health passport as proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test.
People must present a
health passport when going to restaurants or cinemas, travelling by long-distance train and, in some places, when entering shopping centres.
The easing of restrictions in
France in recent months has not been linked to a mandatory test. So far, the use of the
health passport has gone largely smoothly.
Some
demonstrations included expressions of solidarity with
Didier Raoult, a biologist and doctor who is popular among conspiracy theorists, but also widely respected.
A few days ago, it had become known that Raoult was set to lose all his functions at the
Marseille University Medical School as he has now reached the retirement age of 69.
Sceptics of the French
coronavirus policy suspect that this is intended to silence a critical voice. "
Hands off Raoult" was written on posters at a demonstration in Paris.
Among other things, Raoult had campaigned in favour of the
anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine in the fight against Covid-19, although there is little proof of its effectiveness.
