This Friday, February 11, “The Freedom Convoy” crosses the Saône-et-Loire before stopping in Dijon. The movement is converging on Paris to carry out blockades, in protest against health restrictions. France 3 follows them during their visit to the region.
“Le Convoi de la liberté” is launched in Burgundy. The procession, which left Nice on Wednesday February 9, passes through the Saône-et-Loire on the morning of this Friday, February 11. Several stops have been set in towns in the department, such as Montchanin and Saint-Rémy.
The activists will then rally Dijon, around 1 p.m. They should be joined there by the convoy from Besançon. Their journey will end in Paris at the end of the day, where blockages are planned for the weekend of the 12th.
There was a large crowd at the gathering places, especially in Chenôve. According to the prefecture of Côte-d’Or, approximately 550 vehicles headed for the Géant Casino car park of the town, at the end of the morning.
14:36 – Those present were invited to return to the road. Those who remain say for the most part that they have no intention of going to Paris.
14:27 – The demonstration is over. The convoy is finally not really, the cars leave by 3 or 4. Always some arrivals, in a disparate way.
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14:02 – There are more and more departures, despite the fact that latecomers are still arriving. Remain on the spot of the demonstrators who do not intend to follow the convoy to Paris.
13:47 – The manifestation is decreasing. More and more activists leave the assembly point. We don’t hear any more music. The convoy will leave around 2 p.m., as planned, after the meal break.
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13:20 – Some demonstrators begin to leave in the direction of Paris. The gathering remains important.
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12:48 – Chenove: The convoy gradually arrives at the Géant car park, in Chenôve. Several hundred people are there.
12:20 – On the highway, some cars in the convoy display a French flag or a yellow vest. They do not hesitate to greet each other with a lot of horns.
11:55 – The convoy leaves little by little. Those who wish take the motorway, the others national roads. Next meeting point: Chenôve, in the Géant car park.
We find the spirit of the yellow vests from the beginning, but it’s a bit messy
Claude, one of the participants of the “freedom convoy”
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11:47 – New stop, new moment of celebration. The demonstrators resume “Résiste” by France Gall. “Freedom, freedom!“, they chant. “This is not how we will win the war“, saddens Claude. He will not continue the journey. “I came to support, I stop after. He was still a good kid.“
11:43 – We find Claude there. He said he was a little disappointed with the mobilization. “We find the spirit of the yellow vests of the beginning, but it is a little too messy. I thought it was going to be a snail operation, except that there was no itinerary given to everyone, it was a bit every man for himself. The problem is that they want to hold a demonstration without disturbing anyone.“
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11:40 – St. Remy : After arriving around 11:30 am, the convoy stops for about twenty minutes in the B&M car park in Saint-Rémy. About 150 people are present. A dozen police officers observe the rally from afar.
11:06 – The last vehicles are back on the road. Few demonstrators present in Montchanin join the convoy. It would seem that they went there to support the movement when the procession passed, even if some claim to continue until the next stop. Next stop: Saint-Rémy.
11:02 – “We have to go, we’re going to be late! We have schedules to respect!” exclaims a protester. The cars start to leave.
10:55 – The members of the convoy take advantage of the break to put on some music and dance. More than 100 people are now on site.
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10:48 – The convoy begins to arrive. Horns and applause erupt from all sides. “It’s important to come for freedom today”can we hear within the group of militants, more and more compact.
10:33 – Refueling begins. Members of the rally offer cakes and coffee to the other participants. The demonstration approaches the petrol station. They are now about thirty.
10:19 – “I’m here for my grandchildren!“, launches a 67-year-old woman. “I’m tired of us taking our liberties, I’m doing this for them.” Claude : “I have already lived, it is especially for young people that I do this. Because what’s the next step if not?“
10:10 – At a point less than an hour from the passage of the convoy, the militants continue to arrive. “I would like to go to a restaurant, but I don’t have the money!” burst out of a yellow vest.
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10:07 – The demonstrators present come mainly to protest against the increase in the cost of living. “A few years ago, I went to Brittany, gasoline was 1.44€“says Claude.”Now on the highwayit’s almost 2€. People with small pensions will soon no longer be able to go on vacation.“
10:05 – Claude, 68 : “I come from Saint-Gengoux with my friend Jean-Luc. We are already going to Chalon.”
10:00 – Montchanin – About fifteen demonstrators are present at the roundabout Jeanne Rose, in Montchanin, including some yellow vests.
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