Some 2,500 Polynesians demonstrated on Saturday in Papeete against the vaccination obligation, just over a month before the entry into force of the law on the vaccination obligation.
"
Today we impose the vaccine on employees, tomorrow it will be on children,
" launches, among the demonstrators, the deputy (UDI) Nicole Sanquer.
Read alsoCovid-19: French Polynesia is gradually deconfining
The law on the vaccination obligation was voted by the assembly of French Polynesia and will be applicable on October 23. It concerns, in particular, all the people who exercise a job in contact with the public. "
We are not told the truth about the hospital figures, I have the impression that it is to instill a climate of fear and force us to be vaccinated
", worries Titaua Erickson, a teacher at the retirement of 69 years, questioned by AFP in the crowd, marked by a great distrust towards the authorities.
The organizers, who estimate the participation of 2,500 demonstrators, like the police, were received at the high commission and then at the presidency of French Polynesia.
But they did not meet President Edouard Fritch as they hoped.
Their petition against the vaccine obligation received several thousand signatures.
The vaccine arouses the mistrust of many Polynesians: only 46% of the 280,000 inhabitants have a complete vaccination schedule.
The Covid-19 epidemic has killed 693 people in this overseas collectivity, three quarters in the past six weeks.
The curfew remains in force but a gradual lifting of confinement and the resumption of classes is scheduled for Monday in French Polynesia.
