Guadeloupe burning in rage over vaccine mandate

Violent protests over vaccine mandates have rocked the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe in a recent days. The demonstrations have been fuelling over the past week as people show their frustrations of being mistreated by the French government.

Guadeloupe is among the many other French overseas territories affected highly by the COVID-19 pandemic from the past few months.

People in Guadeloupe are demonstrating against the vaccine mandate and other newly imposed coronavirus related restrictions. A few weeks ago, peaceful protests started just in front of a major hospital in Pointe-à-Pitre. However, it began to develop as people turned violent and burned cars, looted businesses, and clashed with police officers. The riot-control police used tear gases to take back the control.

Many unions in Guadeloupe started the protest, attacking the government for making vaccine mandate for health workers. The unions maintained that unvaccinated health professionals are suspended without pay under the new mandate.

The secretary-general of the Confédération Générale du Travail de la Guadeloupe, Jean-Marie Nomertin, called the mandate and suspension an "unfair violence against the health workers and their families,".

People are also against France's health pass, which is required to enter access to restaurants, museums and other public places. The pass can only be obtained through full vaccination, proof of Covid recovery, or a newly taken negative test — which must now be paid for out of pocket for those who are unvaccinated.

French President Emmanuel Macron called on the people to maintain peace and prosperity. He said the government's foremost priority is to tell the people that "vaccination is protection".

As per reports, only 30 people were captured by the police for burning cars and looting businesses. France also sent around 200 police reinforcement officials to handle the deteriorating situation.

It is not the first time that the people of Guadeloupe are demonstrating against their mainland government; previously people have protested against high-living costs, lack of public utilities and unemployment.