The yellow vests movement (gilets jaunes) is a protest movement that begun with demonstrations on 17 november 2018 and had violent acts, mainly in Paris.
Galvanized by rising fuel prices, the high cost of living in France and claims that a disproportionate burden of the government's tax reforms were falling on the working and middle classes.
The yellow vest was chosen as a symbol because all motorists had been required by law - since 2008 - to have high-visibility vests in their vehicles when driving. As a result, reflective vests have become widely available, inexpensive and symbolic.
