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Tough luck—I’m missing the big protests in France two weekends in a row, first because of a wedding and then my nephew’s 20th birthday. My wife: “Protests are banned anyway.” Me: “That can’t be right—it’s a fundamental right, and there’s very little violence here.” *I check* 🔽

Only six people were arrested here, and now we’re not even allowed to protest anymore. 💀

A decade of Macronism has been, first and foremost, a succession of cutbacks to social rights, and now to civil liberties.

We’re right in the thick of this famous Nemik quote. Every day brings some new bit of madness. The rule of law is weakened. I didn’t think this would happen until next summer. 🤷

In the end, because of a storm sweeping across France, all the trains were canceled, and I had to go home. So now I CAN go to the banned protest. Now I want to go just because it’s banned, and that’s driving me crazy. 🤭

Why I no longer have the right to protest in my city: Last Saturday, six people were arrested (1 for vandalism, 2 for participating in an unlawful assembly, 2 for setting off fireworks, and 1 for participating in an unlawful assembly and contempt of authority). That’s it.

Contempt For Authority is the French national past-time!