Martinique: Shots fired at police as anger rises over COVID curbs
3 years, 1 month ago

Martinique: Shots fired at police as anger rises over COVID curbs

Al Jazeera  

Like its neighbour Guadeloupe, Martinique has seen protests against COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates. Gunshots have been fired at police in the French Caribbean island of Martinique in a sign that unrest triggered by COVID-19 restrictions that rocked the nearby island of Guadeloupe could be spreading. No police were injured and things have calmed since the unrest overnight, a Martinique police official said on Tuesday, but traffic was still slowed by barricades erected by demonstrators. “Impacts were noted on the vehicles.” Gunfire has also targeted police during the past few days in Guadeloupe, a neighbouring Caribbean archipelago that is also a French territory. In Guadeloupe, a general strike has entered its second week and many stores remained shuttered after night-time looting amid protests against COVID-19 restrictions.

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Nearly a dozen police injured in fresh protests in Martinique
3 months ago

Nearly a dozen police injured in fresh protests in Martinique

Associated Press  

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Nearly a dozen officers were injured in the French Caribbean island of Martinique during a fresh round of violent protests over the high cost of living, with demonstrators burning cars, looting businesses and targeting police, authorities said Tuesday. The violence erupted late Monday in the capital of Fort-de-France, where protesters threw bottles and rocks and …

Two powerful unions join protests in Martinique over the high cost of living
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Two powerful unions join protests in Martinique over the high cost of living

Associated Press  

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Two powerful unions on the French Caribbean island of Martinique have joined protests against high living costs that recently have prompted France to send anti-riot police. Traffic was paralyzed Tuesday after a transportation union ordered tractor-trailers to block main roads and public bus drivers to suspend service, according to the France Télévisions broadcaster. The protests …

Long-forbidden French anti-riot force sent to Martinique as thousands defy bans on protests
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Long-forbidden French anti-riot force sent to Martinique as thousands defy bans on protests

Associated Press  

MEXICO CITY — France has sent a group of special anti-riot police that’s been banned for 65 years to the French Caribbean island of Martinique, where protesters have gathered despite the government barring demonstrations in parts of the island. The restrictions came after violent protests broke out on the island last week over the high cost of living, with gunfire …

Long-forbidden French anti-riot force sent to Martinique as thousands defy bans on protests
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Long-forbidden French anti-riot force sent to Martinique as thousands defy bans on protests

LA Times  

Protesters gather in front of a police cordon outside a Carrefour supermarket amid a cost of living crisis in Le Francois commune in the French Caribbean island of Martinique on Saturday. France has sent a group of special anti-riot police that’s been banned for 65 years to the French Caribbean island of Martinique, where protesters have gathered despite the government …

Amid riots, France to consider some autonomy for Guadeloupe
3 years, 1 month ago

Amid riots, France to consider some autonomy for Guadeloupe

Associated Press  

LE GOSIER, Guadeloupe — France’s government is offering to discuss some autonomy for the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, which has been wracked by virus-related rioting and strikes that reflect long-running frustrations over inequality with the French mainland. The recent tensions in Guadeloupe and Martinique started because of France’s obligatory vaccinations for health care workers, and nationwide health pass to …

Shots fired at police, journalists in Martinique COVID riots
3 years, 1 month ago

Shots fired at police, journalists in Martinique COVID riots

Associated Press  

PARIS — Shots were fired overnight at security forces and journalists on the French Caribbean island of Martinique amid violent protests against COVID-19 restrictions, France’s interior minister said on Friday. Martinique’s protesters this week joined a movement launched by labor unions in the neighboring island of Guadeloupe to denounce France’s COVID-19 pass and mandatory vaccination for health care workers. Attal …

Unrest continues in Martinique, Guadeloupe as some talks begin
3 years, 1 month ago

Unrest continues in Martinique, Guadeloupe as some talks begin

Al Jazeera  

Protests that began over COVID restrictions have grown into call to address longstanding issues in French territories. Protesters looted shops and set up burning barricades overnight in Martinique, French news outlet France Info reported as unrest about coronavirus restrictions intensified in the French island territory in the Caribbean. French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Monday announced the creation of a …

COVID-19 rules fueled ‘explosive’ unrest in Guadeloupe: Macron
3 years, 1 month ago

COVID-19 rules fueled ‘explosive’ unrest in Guadeloupe: Macron

Al Jazeera  

Anger about vaccine mandate for health workers on the French Caribbean archipelago has led to days of violent protests. Anger about a vaccine mandate in the French overseas territory of Guadeloupe has created an “explosive” situation, President Emmanuel Macron has said. A general strike called by trade unions has entered its second week following nights of looting and violent protests …

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