Vaccine mandate protesters beat up hospital boss — Analysis
In French Guadeloupe, violent scenes are being staged amid demonstrations against mandatory Covid vaccination
Healthcare workers protesting against mandatory vaccination for medical staff in the French Caribbean territory of Guadeloupe have beaten up the director of a local hospital and “torn clothes off” his deputy.
According to local media, the incident happened on Tuesday, and involved around 50 members of a healthcare workers’ union. Gaby Clavier, general secretary of the trade union section, said they had gathered outside the University Hospital of Guadeloupe to “Get your money back” Earlier, medical staff who had failed to comply with the mandate were subjected to pay deductions. The December 31 deadline was also extended to unvaccinated professionals in healthcare.
The hospital issued a statement saying the protesters had blocked the entrance, trapping the medical facility’s director and several other personnel inside for a few hours. When they attempted to leave the building with a police escort, protesters reportedly “Kicked the director in his ribs.” and then delivered a powerful headbutt that “Nearly knocked him unconscious.” One of his deputies had his clothes torn off.
Demonstrators were also said to have “Very serious damage” a vehicle belonging to a hospital official.
The statement concluded by condemning “Violence and intimidation” against hospital staff, and pointing out that 95% of workers at the facility have received the Covid vaccine.
This attack occurred at the same time as a conference being held by anti-vaccine groups and opponents to so-called “health pass”.
Guadeloupe is an overseas French region located in the southeast part of the Caribbean Sea. Since November 2013, it has been engulfed by protests against the Covid vaccine mandates. Demonstrations often turn into violence. France had to even send reinforcements of police to the area.
Protests against vaccine mandates and other Covid measures aren’t slowing down. In December, anti-mandate activists invaded the local legislature. What began out as protests against vaccination mandates has grown into a larger movement that demands access to safe drinking water, improved infrastructure and increased wages.
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