I believe I am a socialist, I believe I am a democrat but populism / mob rule worry me .
It has given us brexit, it has given us Trump, above all it has given us the threat of the extreme right and fascism. Despite the fact that many of our leftish French friends have supported the gilet jaunes protest I have failed to relate to the cause. It started as a protest against fuel taxes but developed into a mass movement of people united in but one thing - they were pissed off - mostly about Macron, but also almost anything else - everyone could think of something. No leaders, no organised campaign, they were always going to be manipulated by extreme factions working for their own ends. The only published "demands" included some that were extremely suspect, racist / anti semitic and definitely antidemocratic. The influence of social media is also worrying - fake and old videos circulating on both sides to stir up further discontent.
I feel for people in this area who have been put out of work this Christmas, it is also sad to see towns already struggling losing out once more.There are, and will always be, inequalities and injustices to be identifed and fought against, and campaigns to be fought - I believe they should be carefully and thoughtfully chosen. Campaign yes, protest yes, march yes , withdraw labour yes - but bullying, threats, intimidation, vandalism and incitement to violence are not the tactics of civilised and democratic people in this land of egalité, fraternité et liberté.
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