21 people arrested as France “yellow vest” protesters defy stay at home call

Scores of marching “yellow vest” protesters have gathered in central France for the fifth week in succession despite calls to stay at home by the government in protest of rising diesel tax.

Paris police said 21 people were detained by mid-morning before the protests.

“Last time, we were here for taxes,” a 28-year-old Jeremy told reporters as he joined others gathering in freezing cold on the Champs-Elysees shortly after 8:00 am (07:00 GMT).

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“This is for the institutions: we want more direct democracy,” he said, adding that people needed to “shout to make themselves heard”.

Days ago, embattled soft-speaking French President Emmanuel Macron announced a range of conciliatory measures in a bid to quell violent protests over a hike in diesel tax.

The move by Macron aims at appeasing “yellow vest” protesters, including increasing the minimum wage and canceling a planned social security tax hike for pensioners earning less than 2,000 euros ($2,272).

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