Why Did U.S. Citizens Not Protest Like the French Gilets Jaunes in Response to High Oil Prices?

The U.S. and France share many commonalities, from their rich histories to their citizens' desire for justice and fair treatment. However, when it came to the 2018 French gilets jaunes (yellow vests) protest movement, the American public did not follow in their footsteps. This article seeks to understand why the U.S. did not replicate the French protests despite similar economic circumstances, focusing on the role of public spaces and the organization of protests.

The U.S. Lack of Protest Against High Oil Prices

The Gilets Jaunes movement in France began as a result of increased fuel taxes. These taxes were seen as penalizing the working class and were met with widespread anger and protests. Interestingly, the U.S. did not have similar protests in response to soaring oil prices, despite the prevalence of similar economic issues. One reason for this discrepancy is the landscape and urban planning of the two countries.

France's Roundabouts as Protest Spots

One key factor in the success of the Gilets Jaunes movement was their choice of protest venues. Roundabouts, or boulevards in French, were used as centralized locations for their demonstrations. These roundabouts served as informal public spaces where protesters could gather, eat, and drink, fostering a sense of community and resistance.

The U.S. does not have as many roundabouts as France does. When the Gilets Jaunes first attempted to protest in commercial areas surrounding gas stations, they were often met with hostility. These areas, while accessible, are not permanent public spaces. They can be easily evicted from, making them unsuitable for sustained protest activities.

Role of Public Spaces in U.S. Urban Planning

In the United States, the landscape is more privatized, with a proliferation of suburbia and commercial areas that do not serve the public. Unlike roundabouts, these areas lack the necessary infrastructure and communal feel for organizing and sustaining prolonged protests. Suburbia and commercial centers are designed for pass-through use rather than community gathering.

The Gilets Jaunes successfully adapted to the French roundabout system, recognizing these spaces as key public areas. However, in the U.S., finding such spaces for protest is more challenging. Highways, despite being accessible, are less conducive to sustained protest and community engagement, as evidenced by the fact that they have not been the primary location for protest in the U.S.

Public Spaces in U.S. Urban Planning

Decades of urban planning in the United States have led to a fragmented urban environment with fewer centralized public spaces. This has reduced the likelihood of spontaneous and effective protests like those seen in France. Additionally, urban planning policies have often been hostile to public spaces, making it difficult for protesters to find safe and accessible venues to gather.

However, despite these challenges, the U.S. is not without public spaces that could be utilized for protest. Highway interchanges and busy middle-capacity crossings, where barbecues and other social activities can be held, present potential locations for protests. These spaces, while not roundabouts, still offer some of the necessary communal elements.

Impact of Economic Ideology

Another factor that sets the Gilets Jaunes movement apart from potential U.S. protests is the economic ideology of the two countries. The Gilets Jaunes revolted not only against the increase in fuel taxes but also against market-driven economy and tax cuts for the wealthy. The unity of the working class against both economic hardships and surplus benefits for the wealthy created a powerful and effective movement.

In contrast, U.S. citizens, although concerned about high oil prices and living wages, have not formed the same type of alliance. The working class in the U.S. may agree on the need for higher wages and lower oil prices, but they do not necessarily support tax cuts for wealthy individuals. This lack of a unified front against economic policies that benefit the wealthy has weakened the potential for a widespread protest movement in the U.S.

Furthermore, cultural differences and the method of protest also play a role. Protest movements in France, which have historically included rural and urban populations, have a unique energy when they transition from one group to another. The U.S., with its diverse population, may face challenges in uniting different segments of society under the same banner.

Conclusion

The U.S. did not replicate the Gilets Jaunes protest movement in response to high oil prices for reasons rooted in urban planning, economic ideology, and the unique nature of protest venues in both countries. While roundabouts played a key role in the success of the Gilets Jaunes, the U.S. lacks such accessible and communal spaces. Additionally, the ideological divide and the lack of a unified protest front undermine the potential for a similar movement in the U.S.

Despite these challenges, it is essential to consider the potential for future protest movements in the U.S. by identifying and utilizing alternative public spaces that could be used for community gatherings and demonstrations. As urban spaces continue to evolve, the path to effective protest remains dynamic and adaptable.