‘Yellow vest’ protesters turn out for fifth weekend in France

Crowds of “gilets jaunes” or “yellow vest” protesters gathered Saturday in Paris for a fifth consecutive weekend of demonstrations despite concessions this week by French President Emmanuel Macron.

But their numbers were lower than in previous weeks, with some perhaps appeased by Macron’s promises, while others may have been deterred by cold, wet weather or shaken by the terror attack earlier this week on a Christmas market in Strasbourg.

A yellow vest demonstrator faces riot police officers in Marseille, France, on Saturday, January 5, 2019.

Riot police stand in tear gas in Toulouse, France, during a protest January 5.

Yellow vest protestors kneel in Lyon on January 5. About 50,000 people demonstrated throughout France on Saturday, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.

Protesters warm their hands over a burning tree in a Paris street on January 5.

A firefighter tries to extinguish a burning car in a street in Paris on January 5.

Protesters confront police during a "yellow vest" demonstration Saturday, December 22, in central Paris.

Demonstrators rally in the Montmartre area of Paris on December 22.

Protesters block a highway near the French border with Spain on December 22 in Biriatou, France.

Demonstators turn out December 22 near toll booths on the A9 highway in Le Boulou, France.

Protesters gather December 15 at Place de l'Opera in Paris.

Activists dressed like Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic, face riot police on December 15 in Paris.

Demonstrators wearing yellow vests form a human tower December 15 on the Champs-élysées in Paris.

A police water cannon sprays demonstrators on December 15 in Paris.

Protesters take part in a demonstration on December 15 in Paris.

Demonstrators run through tear gas during scuffles with police December 15 on the Champs-élysées in Paris.

Police use tear gas on protesters at the Place de l'Opera in Paris on December 15.

A protester waves the French national flag during a demonstration on the Champs-élysées in Paris on December 15.

French police apprehend a man on December 8 during a protest in Paris.

Protesters wearing yellow vests gather on December 8 in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Demonstrators drop flat to the ground on the Champs-Elysees avenue during a protest on Saturday, December 8, in Paris.

Protesters install a barricade during clashes with police at a demonstration in Paris on December 8.

Protesters gather on December 8 in Paris.

A demonstrator is covered in blood after getting in injured during a protest in Paris on December 8.

Protesters wearing yellow vests walk on the Champs-Elysees Avenue with the Arc de Triomphe in the background during a protest on December 8.

Two demonstrators dance in front a group as they take part on December 8 in the demonstration at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

A protester reacts during clashes with police on December 8 in Paris.

French gendarmes apprehend a protester on December 8 in Paris.

Protesters throw objects at riot police on Saturday, December 1, during a demonstration that turned violent when protestors clashed with police in Paris.

An injured woman sits on the ground as police officers spray yellow vest protesters with tear gas during a protest in Paris on December 1.

A burned car is left in the street a day after the yellow vests demonstration against rising oil prices and living costs in Paris on December 1.

Firemen work to extinguish a burning car on December 1.

A demonstrator leaves as water cannons evacuate the Place de l'Etoile on December 1.

A demonstrator watches a burning car near the Champs-Elysees avenue on December 1.

Riot police officers stand in position during clashes with demonstrators on December 1.

Protesters and police clash in downtown Paris on December 1 during a national demonstration.

Hooded demonstrators smash a car.

A demonstrator throws a projectile during the December 1 protest.

A demonstrator treats a wounded man during a protest where police and demonstrators clashed, injuring dozens on December 1.

French gendarmes apprehend a protester in Paris on December 1.

In photos: Protests in France

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By midafternoon Saturday, about 34,000 protesters had turned out across France, including more than 2,000 in Paris, according to the Interior Ministry. Last week, some 77,000 protesters turned out across the country, including 10,000 in Paris.

Paris police estimates earlier Saturday put the number of protesters in the capital at several thousand.

Some 69,000 police officers were deployed across the country in anticipation of the protests, including 8,000 in Paris, the Interior Ministry said.

A protestor wearing a "yellow vest" (gilet jaune) and with a French President Emmanuel Macron mask poses on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris on December 8, 2018 during protest against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes. - Paris was on high alert on December 8 with major security measures in place ahead of fresh "yellow vest" protests which authorities fear could turn violent for a second weekend in a row. (Photo by Zakaria ABDELKAFI / AFP) (Photo credit should read ZAKARIA ABDELKAFI/AFP/Getty Images)

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Police used tear gas on the Champs-Elysées in confrontations with protesters. Some were seen throwing rocks at security forces.

More than 100 people were in police custody for questioning early Saturday, Paris police said, much fewer than last week. The protests are named after the yellow high-visibility jackets French motorists must carry in their vehicles.

Paris department stores such as the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are open this weekend as well as the Louvre museum and Eiffel Tower. Parts of the Champs-Elysées also reopened to traffic midmorning Saturday.

Speaking to CNN French affiliate BFMTV, Maxime Nicolle, a spokesman for the “gilets jaunes,” called for a citizens’ referendum. “We are protesting peacefully, but Mr. President give us back our freedom and our sovereignty!” he said.

A Paris protester holds a "RIC" sign Saturday in a reference to a demand for a citizens' referendum.

The protesters held a moment’s silence at the Place de l’Opéra for those who have been killed since the movement began.

Authorities in northern France confirmed that a man died Friday evening in a car accident in Erquelinnes, Belgium, following a blockade by “yellow vests” near Jeumont.

Macron promises social reforms

On December 8, many Paris tourist hot spots and stores were shuttered in anticipation of violent protests after the previous week’s demonstrations resulted in the worst riots to hit the French capital in decades. By the end of last weekend, 1,723 people had been taken in for questioning and 1,220 into custody, according to the Interior Ministry. Across the country, 135 people were reported injured.

Under increasing pressure to respond, Macron may have taken some of the heat out of the protests when he pledged Monday night to increase the minimum wage and scrap new pension taxes.

In a televised address to the nation, Macron said the violent protests – which have morphed from a grassroots movement against fuel tax hikes into disparate demonstrations against his presidency – have been “unacceptable” and “will not be in any way indulged.”

He proposed some social reforms, including an increase in the minimum wage by 100 euros ($113) a month beginning in January that will not cost employers extra and a promise that overtime hours will not be taxed. Macron also remained defiant and said he would not reinstate the wealth tax but would fight tax fraud.

‘Profound’ anger

Journalist and political commentator Agnès Poirier told CNN that the anger felt by protesters, many of them lower middle class from more rural areas, remained “profound.”

A false Macron shut his ears as people shout 'Macron, demission'. Protesters called 'Gilets jaunes' (ie Yellow vests) protest against the rise of taxes on oil products. They organized themselves by social networks to block roads, accesses to airports, etc. Mostly said that the rise of taxes on oil products was the detonator of their wrath against French President Macron and his governement. Toulouse. France. November 17th 2018. (Photo by Alain Pitton/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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But she said the measures announced by Macron – and his televised appearance during which he seemed more humble and heartfelt than before – may have swayed some people.

“We will see if the French are still supporting the movement, but also if the ‘yellow vests’ are ready to stop demonstrating and structure themselves,” said Poirier, referring to the grassroots nature of the movement, which has no leadership and has largely been organized through social media.

“They need to structure themselves to meet with the government and go to the table to start negotiating.”

"Yellow vest" demonstrators face riot police officers Saturday in the French capital.

The reforms are expected to cost the government between $8.1 billion and $10.1 billion, Olivier Dussopt, France’s secretary of state to the Ministry of Public Action and Accounts, told BFMTV.

Macron visited the Christmas market in Strasbourg on Friday evening to express his gratitude to members of the emergency services after this week’s deadly attack there. Police killed the suspected attacker Thursday evening in the city following a two-day manhunt. Four people have died following Tuesday’s attack.

CNN’s Saskya Vandoorne reported from Paris and Laura Smith-Spark wrote from London. CNN’s Sandrine Amiel contributed to this report.