Column · 14 October 2026
1 min read · 1 read
Saturday, October 17: Yellow Vests and Gen Z join forces in a call to protest across France
Eight years after the Yellow Vest movement, a new call to mobilize is circulating for this Saturday, October 17, under the slogan "Yellow and young, our struggles meet." According to its organizers, the call started with a TikTok video. It then reportedly gained momentum through high school protests that began in Créteil on September 21.
The call comes from the "17 octobre gilet jaune" collective. Its signatories include figures from the 2018 movement and the groups Indignons-nous / Bloquons tout, Maintenant! and Peuple RÉVOLTÉ. It aims to bring together several mobilizations: high school and university students, farmers, firefighters, oil industry workers, healthcare workers, retirees and climate activists.
The signatories denounce the rising cost of living, especially fuel prices. They also oppose several measures in the 2027 budget, including the freeze on welfare benefits and housing assistance (APL). They criticize the decline of public services and the policing of protests. Their only specific demand is a tax on oil companies' windfall profits.
The date also refers to two events: the police crackdown on Algerian protesters in Paris on October 17, 1961, and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Organizers say there will be declared marches in several major cities, as well as actions at roundabouts and oil sites. They have also asked unions to file strike notices. The turnout remains to be seen on Saturday.
