The Yellow vests movement (French: Mouvement des gilets jaunes) refers to a series of populist, grassroots protests in France that began on 17 November 2018 and ended on 28 June 2020. It grew out of online mobilization, including a petition launched by Priscillia Ludosky in May 2018 and a viral Facebook video by Jacline Mouraud opposing a proposed eco-tax.

The movement was initially motivated by rising fuel prices, a high cost of living, and economic inequality. Protesters argued that taxation fell disproportionately on working and middle-class households, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. Their demands included lower fuel taxes, a minimum wage increase, and the reintroduction of a wealth tax. A list of 42 demands published in late November 2018 became a de facto basis for the movement and covered democracy, social justice, and fiscal justice; some protesters called for President Emmanuel Macron’s resignation.

The protests were often marked by clashes and violence, including confrontations with police and injuries that became symbols of repression. The movement faded during the COVID-19 pandemic, but recent demonstrations in France have seen yellow vest participants appear alongside students and trade unions. In that context, the movement’s re-emergence has amplified political stakes by linking school-focused grievances with broader debates over public spending, inequality, and the role of the state.