French Leftism Day 1| History of the Yellow Vests (Conference & Screening)

1st night of a three-part series of talks and film screenings on social movements and antifascism in France!

This first session is a great way to get a solid grasp of the context behind social struggles, antifascist organizing, and state repression in France.

If you can’t make it, the film is available online (without additional context) with English or German subtitles on this blog: https://giletsjaunes.noblogs.org/ ___________________________________

Program :

1️⃣ Getting to the Roots

How the capitalist policies of Hollande, followed by Macron, sowed the seeds of rage. We’ll analyze the downward spiral that triggered the 2018 social explosion.

2️⃣ Film : The Stories of the Yellow Vests by Us (EN/DE subs) (1h40)

A deep dive into the heart of the movement that shook the establishment to its core. From blockades to riots, from roundabout occupations to popular assemblies, this documentary made by comrades covers it all.

It tracks the shift from calls for “unity” with the police to the direct fight against repression, fascists and political vultures trying to hijack the cause.

Born and bred outside the traditional political parties, what does this “Gilets Jaunes” revolt tell us about the current state of the class struggle ? What were the internal contradictions pulling at the movement? And what glimpses of a total breakdown of the social order did it leave behind?

3️⃣ Where are we now?

From the rise of the far-right to the latest round of neoliberal reforms: a brief debrief on the french political landscape from 2019 until today.

Other dates : 26.02 🕐 18h30 : Counter-Repression, Autonomy and Antifascism

28.02 🕐 18h30 : Ideological and Cultural War in France