Thousands of people want to "roll in Paris" on Saturday.
Inspired by the "Freedom Convoy", a blocking movement triggered by Canadian truckers for ten days, these demonstrators must reach the capital on Friday evening and some then call to rally Brussels for "European convergence" on February 14.
Six “convoys” of carpooling or individuals on board their own vehicles are already announced on Wednesday, departing in particular from Bayonne, Nice, Strasbourg or Cherbourg.
Do they want to completely block downtown Paris, like the opponents of the health measures that have paralyzed Ottawa since the end of January?
Perform a snail operation?
Take a break in the capital and return to Brussels?
On social networks, a few messages mention possible actions, in particular on the Paris ring road, while the majority of participants rather offer moments of conviviality.
"Everyone is free", but the "Convoy France" group - present on Facebook and Telegram with 26,000 subscribers - does not directly call for a regrouping or blocking action, spokesperson Marisa insisted in a video chat on Sunday. of this new movement.
The initiative is however “taken seriously by the authorities”, indicated a police source.
As proof, Gérald Darmanin has pledged to “never allow freedom of movement to be hindered”.
If necessary, "the state's response will be extremely firm," he warned on BFMTV on Tuesday.
“Extremely dissuasive sanctions”
Anyone who blocks a road open to public traffic can be arrested for “traffic obstruction”.
And the protester in violation risks big: 4500 euros fine, two years of imprisonment and a withdrawal of six points on the driving license.
Added to this are additional penalties: the judge can decide to suspend the license for up to three years and the vehicle can be immobilized and impounded.
"These are extremely dissuasive penalties in terms of common law, the same that apply in the event of drunk driving (
for a
rate equal to or greater than 0.8 g/l
)", underlines Rémy Josseaume, lawyer in road law, which however has never seen a demonstrator sentenced to two years in prison for an offense of obstructing traffic.
“In practice, the judge gives a proportionate sanction.
»
Strict regulations for truckers
If, in Ottawa, it was truckers who initiated the movement, driving hundreds of trucks to the capital, we should not see many heavy goods vehicles participating in the “freedom convoys” in France.
Unlike Canada, where many truckers are self-employed and therefore own their vehicles, most French truck drivers are employees, so their trucks belong to their employers.
However, in the context of labor law, an employee who has requisitioned a professional vehicle to commit an offense can be dismissed.
Additional brake for truckers, “other regulations can be added to the offense of obstruction”, indicates Rémy Josseaume.
And the lawyer cites the prohibition for heavy goods vehicles to drive on weekends between Saturday 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 p.m., and non-compliance with which is punishable by a fine of 750 euros.
A driver guilty of this offense then incurs the additional penalty of suspension of the driving license for a maximum period of three years, as well as a reduction of three points on the licence.
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In France, any demonstration must be declared at least three days before the event, at the town hall or at the prefecture.
If it is authorized, “the authorities will show moderation”, recalls Rémy Josseaume, however.
“The freedom to demonstrate, like the freedom of assembly and association, is powerful.
»
The movement has received the support of far-right personalities, such as Florian Philippot and Marine Le Pen, while the number 2 of La France insoumise Adrien Quatennens "encouraged" "the Insoumis who wish to go there".
“This convoy of freedoms is sometimes unfortunately a convoy of oppression”, on the other hand, judged the leader of the LR deputies, Damien Abad.