The protests in Paris and elsewhere in France of the gilets jaunes have reduced in size, but they continue. They now also face counter-demonstrations. But the upsurge of protest since last autumn remains the largest street-political phenomenon in France since May '68.
Too much of the mainstream coverage of the protestors has turned on the fact that the movement - if it can be called anything so coherent as a movement - contains aggressively rightwing elements as well as ideas and strands from the left. Slapping the movement down for its alleged extremism is not an explanation or a proper mode of discussion. The fact is that the gilets jaunes express the pain and torsions of France's current phase of neoliberalisation. They, their actions and their variously expressed ideas run athwart the predominant and mainstream story which France's leaders use to legitimise their position and their policies.
Here are some new or newer readings on the gilets jaunes. From Verso, as ever:
Alessa Dell'Umbria
Full Metal Yellow Jacket
Alain Badiou interviewed
Allegiance to Macron is largely negative!
From Jacobin, Ivan Bruneau, Julian Brischi and Nicolas Renahy
Conor
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