“The addition of discontent does not necessarily make a convergence, it is a weakening”, analyzed Jean-François Amadieu, professor at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, guest Friday February 11 of franceinfo. He was reacting to the movement called “convoy of freedom”, inspired by the movement of Canadian truck drivers. He emerged in France, on social networks, via calls to take his car to go “block the capital” from Friday to denounce health measures and rising prices. An action “in the original and media form”according to this specialist in social movements.
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Even though he is “impossible”for the moment, “to know the composition” of this movement which “will undoubtedly evolve during the day”Jean-François Amadieu mentioned the presence “of antivax”, “of movements close to the extreme right” and “of a relationship with the ‘yellow vests'”. There is, according to him, “too much heterogeneity, with extremely broad claims”.
“In public opinion, the support cannot be similar to the 75% support and sympathy of the ‘yellow vests’ because public opinion generally supports the restrictions linked to health policy”, he continued. Jean-François Amadieu recalled that “antipass and antivax are not in the majority” in France. “Only 32% of Canadians support this movement”he added in comparison with the Canadian movement.
Asked about the risk of overflows in the capital, the professor admitted that “it was going to be very complicated”. According to him, there is a security concern, an additional difficulty, because “it’s easier to control people on foot” than demonstrators in cars.
“Blocking a convoy can be quite easy, but blocking people who you can’t distinguish and who are going around doing a tintouin, it’s not that easy.”
Jean-François Amadieu, specialist in social movementsat franceinfo
In addition, on social networks, instructions have been given “to remove the signs that allow recognition” the cars of the demonstrators from those of the residents of Paris. “Many say, anyway, we will pass anyway, no one can stop us from circulating”, reported Jean-François Amadieu. “The strategy is going to be simple, it’s to get closer with any type of vehicle to Parisian places of power,” he summed up.