Éric Drouet

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'''Éric Drouet''' is a [[French]] [[activist]] who is one of the leading figures of the [[Yellow Vests movement]] that began in France in {{date-|November 2018}}.

== Biography == === Personal Situation === In 2019, Éric Drouet lived in [[Melun]], in [[Seine-et-Marne]], with his wife and their daughter. He worked as a [[truck driver]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Perrine Storme|title=Is Éric Drouet a leader? (1/2)|website=[[BFM TV]]|date=2019-02-15|url=https://www.bfmtv.com/mediaplayer/video/eric-drouet-est-il-un-leader-12-1140408.html}}.</ref>, was a full-time employee, and an active member of the [[tuning]] association “Muster Crew”<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last1=Kocila Makdeche|title=France Info Investigation: From tuning to the “Yellow Vests,” how Éric Drouet became the “main opponent to Emmanuel Macron”|website=[[France Info (offre globale)|France Info]]|date=2019-02-02|url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/transports/gilets-jaunes/enquete-franceinfo-du-tuning-aux-gilets-jaunes-comment-eric-drouet-est-devenu-le-premier-opposant-a-emmanuel-macron_3179245.html}}.</ref>.

=== Yellow Vests Movement === ==== Leading the Protests ==== In late {{date-|October 2018}}, he called for a gathering of motorists on the [[Boulevard Périphérique, Paris|Boulevard Périphérique in Paris]]<ref name=":0" /> to protest against the increase in the [[Domestic Tax on Energy Products|fuel tax]], which was decided by the [[Édouard Philippe's government|government]] to support the [[energy transition]] as part of France’s commitments under the [[Paris Agreement|Paris climate agreement]].

This call led to the launch of the [[Yellow Vests movement]] on {{date-|November 17, 2018}}, and Éric Drouet was subsequently portrayed in the media as one of the movement's main founders. This event gave him, along with figures like [[Priscillia Ludosky]] and [[Maxime Nicolle]], a notable media presence within the movement.

However, in 2020, his role as a leader of the social movement was not recognized by the courts for two demonstrations. The Paris Court of Appeal ruled that he might have simply relayed information without being the organizer of the gatherings<ref name="Relaxe 2020">{{cite web |title=Yellow Vests demonstrations: Éric Drouet acquitted on appeal |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/entry/manifestations-de-gilets-jaunes-eric-drouet-relaxe-en-appel_fr_5f5bb935c5b67602f604d871 |date=2020-09-11 |website=huffingtonpost.fr |access-date=2020-09-12}}.</ref>.

==== Influence on Social Media ==== Éric Drouet regularly communicates via [[live streaming|live videos]] with members of the [[Facebook]] group {{quote|La France en colère !!!}}, which he manages with his mother<ref name=":0" />. With {{number|300000|members}} in early {{date-|February 2019}}<ref name=":0" />, this group is one of the largest in terms of membership. Due to its capacity to disseminate information about the movement, this group is often considered the main mobilization channel led by its administrator.

Often presented as one of the leaders of the Yellow Vests, Éric Drouet rejects this label and advocates for the movement’s horizontal organization<ref name=":0" />, which relies on decision-making by participants, particularly through online consultations via the {{quote|La France en colère !!!}} group. Nevertheless, on {{date-|November 28, 2018}}, he represented the Yellow Vests movement, alongside [[Priscillia Ludosky]], during a meeting with the Minister of Ecological and Inclusive Transition, [[François de Rugy]]<ref name=":0" />.

Around Éric Drouet, a group of several individuals has formed, who are also considered key figures of the movement or who support him in organizing and planning actions: [[Jérôme Rodrigues]], Farouk Largo, Laëtitia Dewalle (who has been portrayed by the media as a co-initiator of the movement from the start), [[François Boulo]], a lawyer from [[Rouen]], as well as [[Maxime Nicolle]] and [[Priscillia Ludosky]], with whom he often coordinates actions<ref name=":0" />.

On the night of March 18-{{date-|19, 2019}}, his home and vehicle were vandalized, notably with yellow paint<ref>{{cite web|lang=fr-FR|title=Seine-et-Marne: The home and car of Yellow Vests figure Eric Drouet vandalized during the night in Melun|url=https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/melun_77288/seine-marne-domicile-voiture-figure-gilets-jaunes-eric-drouet-degrades-pendant-nuit-melun_22173039.html|website=actu.fr|access-date=2019-03-19}}</ref>.

==== Withdrawal from the Movement and Presidential Candidacy ==== In a video posted on {{date-|January 24, 2020}}, Éric Drouet announced his withdrawal from the Yellow Vests movement, stating that {{quote|putting oneself forward causes more problems than anything else}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Yellow Vests: Éric Drouet quits the movement|website=lepoint.fr|publisher=''[[Le Point]]''|date=2020-01-25|url=https://www.lepoint.fr/societe/gilets-jaunes-eric-drouet-abandonne-le-mouvement-25-01-2020-2359631_23.php|access-date=2020-01-26}}.</ref>. As of {{date-|September 2020}}, he still managed the Facebook group “La France en colère!!!” which had more than {{unit|300000 members}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Poyet |first=Stanislas |title=What happened to the leaders of the Yellow Vests? |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/que-sont-devenus-les-meneurs-des-gilets-jaunes-20200912 |date=2020-09-12 |website=lefigaro.fr |access-date=2020-10-20}}.</ref>.

In {{date-|October 2020}}, he announced his candidacy for the [[2022 French presidential election|2022 presidential election]], {{quote|independent of any party}}; he positioned himself as the spokesperson for a citizen movement aiming {{quote|to bring ideas back}}<ref name="DéclareCandidat">{{cite web |title=Yellow Vests: Eric Drouet announces his candidacy for the 2022 presidential election |url=https://www.midilibre.fr/2020/10/19/gilets-jaunes-eric-drouet-se-declare-candidat-a-la-presidentielle-de-2022-9149918.php |date=2020-10-19 |website=[[Midi libre]] |access-date=2020-10-20}}.</ref>. He claimed inspiration from [[Coluche]] and intended to campaign primarily on [[social media]]<ref name="DéclareCandidat"/>. His political platform included lowering the salaries of elected officials, instituting a [[citizens' initiative referendum]] (RIC), and bringing the people closer to political power<ref name="DéclareCandidat"/>.

== Political Stance == Éric Drouet claims to be unaffiliated with any political party<ref name=":0" />. Some media outlets have portrayed him as sympathetic to the [[National Rally (France)|National Rally]] (RN) or [[La France Insoumise]] (FI), but he denies having voted for the FN candidate in the [[2017 French presidential election]], [[Marine Le Pen]], countering a [[fake news|false claim]] made by the commentator [[Jean-Michel Aphatie]]<ref>{{cite news|language=French|last1=Nadau|first1=Louis|title="Éric Drouet, Yellow Vest and FN voter": Story of a political-media hallucination|newspaper=[[Marianne (magazine)|Marianne]]|date=2019-01-03|url=https://www.marianne.net/politique/eric-drouet-gilet-jaune-et-electeur-du-fn-recit-d-une-hallucination-politico-mediatique}}.</ref>.

On {{date-|December 4, 2018}}, he was criticized for a statement with {{quote|xenophobic overtones}} in response to comments made by [[Maxime Nicolle]], another figure of the movement, about the [[Global Compact for Migration|Marrakech Pact]]<ref name=":0" />{{,}}<ref>{{cite web|language=French|last1=Pasquesoone|first1=Valentine|title="Total chaos", "replacement of peoples": three questions about the Marrakech Pact, which worries some Yellow Vests|website=[[France Info (offre globale)|France Info]]|date=2018-12-04|url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/transports/gilets-jaunes/le-chaos-total-le-remplacement-des-peuples-on-vous-explique-pourquoi-le-pacte-de-marrakech-affole-certains-gilets-jaunes_3083905.html}}.</ref>.

[[Jean-Luc Mélenchon]] paid tribute to him on his Facebook page on {{date-|December 31, 2018}}<ref>{{cite news|language=French|title=Mélenchon expresses "fascination" for Yellow Vest Éric Drouet|newspaper=[[Le Monde]]|date=2019-01-01|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2019/01/01/melenchon-exprime-sa-fascination-pour-le-gilet-jaune-eric-drouet_5404181_3224.html}}.</ref>. Éric Drouet later claimed to have been approached by La France Insoumise and the National Rally to appear on their lists for the [[2019 European Parliament election in France|European elections]], which he declined<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203151026/https://www.francesoir.fr/politique-france/eric-drouet-affirme-avoir-ete-approche-par-melenchon-et-le-rn-video|archive-date=2019-02-03|language=French|title=Éric Drouet claims to have been approached by Mélenchon and the RN (video)|newspaper=[[France-Soir]]|date=2019-01-30|url=https://www.francesoir.fr/politique-france/eric-drouet-affirme-avoir-ete-approche-par-melenchon-et-le-rn-video|access-date=2019-02-13}}.</ref>.

== Legal Issues == On {{date-|December 22, 2018}}, he was arrested in Paris carrying a {{unit|30|centimeter}} "[[baton]]" in his bag, which led to his being summoned to appear before the [[Correctional court (France)|correctional court]] on {{date-|June 5, 2019}}, for “participation in a group formed with a view to committing violence” and “[[carrying a prohibited weapon]] of category D”<ref name="Lci">{{cite web |language=French |title=Éric Drouet fined 500 euros suspended for “carrying a prohibited weapon” |url=https://www.lci.fr/justice/eric-drouet-condamne-a-500-euros-d-amende-avec-sursis-pour-port-d-arme-prohibe-2131153.html |website=[[LCI]] |date=2019-09-04 |access-date=2019-09-17}}.</ref>{{,}}<ref name=":0" />{{,}}<ref name="Obs">{{cite web |title=The trial of Éric Drouet: Was it a baton or a stick? |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/justice/20190605.OBS13999/proces-d-eric-drouet-etait-ce-une-matraque-ou-un-baton.html |newspaper=[[L'Obs]] |date=2019-06-05}}.</ref>{{,}}<ref>{{cite web |language=French |title=Yellow Vests: Éric Drouet, adored by some, hated by others |url=https://www.lepoint.fr/societe/gilets-jaunes-eric-drouet-adule-par-les-uns-honni-par-les-autres-03-01-2019-2283191_23.php |newspaper=[[Le Point]] |date=2019-01-03 |access-date=2019-08-18}}</ref>. When questioned about the “prohibited weapon,” he responded: "As a truck driver, we all have something to defend ourselves, to protect ourselves. It was in my work bag, with my lunch, and I had forgotten it was there. This stick was a keepsake from my father<ref name="Obs" />." On {{date-|September 4, 2019}}, he was [[acquittal in France|acquitted]] of the first charge, as the court deemed that his arrest had created a climate of violence, but he was fined {{currency|500|euros}} suspended for carrying a prohibited weapon<ref name="Lci" />{{,}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Yellow Vests: Éric Drouet fined for his “baton” but acquitted for “grouping with a view to violence” |url=https://www.europe1.fr/societe/gilets-jaunes-eric-drouet-condamne-pour-sa-matraque-mais-relaxe-pour-groupement-en-vue-de-violences-3917753 |website=[[Europe 1]] |date=2019-09-04 |access-date=2019-09-17}}.</ref>. He appealed this conviction and was acquitted in September 2020<ref name="Relaxe 2020" />.

He was again arrested on {{date-|January 3, 2019}}, and placed in [[detention in French law|custody]] after initiating a gathering on the [[Champs-Élysées]], to pay tribute to those he considered victims of [[police violence]] during public order operations at Yellow Vests demonstrations. He was tried on {{date-|February 15, 2019}}, for {{quote|organizing a demonstration without prior declaration}}<ref name=":1">{{cite news|language=French|last1=Bloch|first1=Michaël|title=Éric Drouet: The Yellow Vest planned to be arrested|newspaper=[[Le Journal du dimanche]]|date=2019-01-03|url=https://www.lejdd.fr/Societe/eric-drouet-le-gilet-jaune-avait-prevu-de-se-faire-arreter-3831881}}</ref>{{,}}<ref>{{cite web |language=French |title=Story of the trial: The strange trial of Éric Drouet |url=https://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/societe/justice/le-drole-de-proces-d-eric-drouet_2062470.html |website=LExpress.fr |date=2019-02-15 |access-date=2019-08-18}}</ref>. Following this arrest in {{date-|January 2019}}, controversy arose over whether Éric Drouet had deliberately organized the event on the Champs-Élysées and broken the law to get arrested and create a media sensation<ref name=":1" />; he appeared to acknowledge this in a video posted and then deleted on {{date-|January 3, 2019}}<ref name=":0" />.

On March 29, 2019, Éric Drouet was fined {{currency|2000|euros}}, including 500 suspended, for allegedly organizing—though he disputes this—the unauthorized demonstrations of December 22, 2018, and January 2, 2019. Ultimately, Éric Drouet was acquitted in {{date-|September 2020}} on [[appeal in French law|appeal]]<ref name="Relaxe 2020" />.

That same year, he was sentenced to five months of suspended imprisonment for hitting his 13-year-old stepson during a dispute with his mother. The teenager was granted four days of [[total incapacity for work]]. Éric Drouet admitted to the facts, while asserting that he values the respect of children for their parents<ref>{{cite web |title=“Yellow Vests”: Éric Drouet convicted for hitting his stepson |url=https://www.rtl.fr/actu/justice-faits-divers/gilets-jaunes-eric-drouet-condamne-pour-avoir-frappe-son-beau-fils-7800630122 |website=rtl.fr |access-date=2020-08-30}}.</ref>{{,}}<ref name="bfm_20/5/2020">{{cite web |last1=Vecchio|first1=Mélanie|last2=Bey|first2=Rym|last3=Septier|first3=Hugo|title=Former Yellow Vest Éric Drouet in immediate appearance this Wednesday for violence against a minor |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/l-ancien-gilet-jaune-eric-drouet-en-comparution-immediate-ce-mercredi-pour-violences-sur-mineur-1916731.html |website=bfmtv.com |publisher=[[BFM TV]] |date=2020-05-19 |access-date=2020-05-20}}.</ref>{{,}}<ref name="midilibre_20/5/2020">{{cite web |last=Unac|first=Catherine|title=Former “Yellow Vest” Éric Drouet in immediate appearance this Wednesday for violence against a minor |url=https://www.midilibre.fr/2020/05/19/lancien-gilet-jaune-eric-drouet-en-comparution-immediate-ce-mercredi,8894888.php |newspaper=[[Midi libre]] |date=2020-05-19 |access-date=2020-05-20}}.</ref>.

== Criticism and Controversies ==

=== Insurrectional Intentions === On {{date-|December 5, 2018}}, he stated on [[BFM TV]] that he was ready to “enter [the Élysée Palace],” widely interpreted as a call to forcibly take the [[Élysée Palace|seat of the Presidency of the Republic]], which he denied: {{quote|I see what is being said about me on TV, that I am an [[Anarchism|anarchist]] or something like that. I want to clarify: I never said I wanted to go to the Élysée to break everything, but to make ourselves heard}}<ref name=":0" />.

On {{date-|January 26, 2019}}, he relayed a statement calling for a “call to insurrection” following the injury of Jérôme Rodrigues, who lost an eye during a Yellow Vest demonstration in [[Paris]] that same day. This call was criticized by [[Christophe Castaner]], the [[Minister of the Interior (France)|Minister of the Interior]], who viewed it as an incitement to [[insurrection]]<ref name=":0" />.

=== Relationship with the Media === Éric Drouet was initially a guest on several traditional media outlets, but, contesting their objectivity in covering the movement, he broke off most of his contacts, particularly with [[France Info (offre globale)|France Info]] as of {{date-|November 2018}}<ref name=":0" />, preferring appearances on [[Brut (media)|Brut]], [[RT (TV network)|RT]], and with controversial journalist [[Vincent Lapierre]]<ref>{{cite web|language=French|last1=Makdeche|first1=Kocila|title=Tributes to Chavez, a dispute with Alain Soral, and the Quenelle d’Or: The winding path of Vincent Lapierre, the star reporter among the “Yellow Vests”|website=[[France Info (offre globale)|France Info]]|date=2019-01-11|url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie/transports/gilets-jaunes/hommages-a-chavez-brouille-avec-alain-soral-et-quenelles-d-or-le-parcours-sinueux-de-vincent-lapierre-le-reporter-star-chez-les-gilets-jaunes_3136381.html}}.</ref>. However, on {{date-|January 30, 2019}}, he appeared on the show ''[[Les Grandes Gueules (TV program)|Les Grandes Gueules]]'', broadcast on [[RMC]] and [[RMC Story]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rmc.bfmtv.com/emission/gilets-jaunes-eric-drouet-est-l-invite-exceptionnel-des-grandes-gueules-sur-rmc-1622594.html|title=“Yellow Vests”: Éric Drouet is the special guest of “Les Grandes Gueules” on RMC|date=2019-01-29|website=[[BFM TV]]}}.</ref>.

=== Tensions with Other Yellow Vests Movement Personalities ===

Several times, members and “figures” of the movement opposed Éric Drouet's positions. In {{date-|January 2019}}, [[Priscillia Ludosky]] announced she would cut ties with him<ref>{{cite news|language=French|last1=Vely|first1=Yannick|title=“Yellow Vests”: All is not well between Priscilla Ludosky and Éric Drouet |newspaper=[[Paris Match]]|date=2019-01-15|url=https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Societe/Gilets-jaunes-rien-ne-va-plus-entre-Priscilla-Ludosky-et-Eric-Drouet-1599584}}</ref>, before resuming cooperation in early February. According to [[Europe 1]], Éric Drouet was part of the “radical faction,” those who wanted to go further, for example, by protesting at night to wear out the police, with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the government. In late {{date-|January 2019}}, these “hardliners” disagreed with the moderates on the future direction of the protest movement<ref>{{cite web |title=Ludosky, Mouraud, Nicolle… The figures of the “Yellow Vests” more divided than ever |url=https://www.europe1.fr/politique/ludosky-mouraud-nicolle-les-figures-des-gilets-jaunes-plus-divisees-que-jamais-3843818 |website=[[Europe 1]] |date=2019-01-23 |access-date=2019-08-18 }}.</ref>.

=== Fundraising for the Injured === In early {{date-|January 2019}}, Éric Drouet launched a [[PayPal]] fundraiser to raise donations for those injured during the Yellow Vests demonstrations. This initiative was criticized by other members of the movement, who questioned how the collected money would be distributed<ref name=":0" />.

=== Spelling === Éric Drouet is often criticized and mocked for the many spelling and grammatical errors in the messages he posts on Facebook<ref name="letelegram_27/12/2018">{{cite news|last1=Jacq|first1=Frédéric|title=Yellow Vests. An exaggerated controversy over spelling mistakes? |newspaper=[[Le Télégramme]]|date=2018-12-27|url=https://www.letelegramme.fr/france/gilets-jaunes-une-polemique-sur-les-fautes-d-orthographe-exageree-27-12-2018-12172196.php|access-date=2019-02-13}}.</ref>. These jibes are viewed by journalist [[Vincent Glad]] as an expression of “social contempt” aimed at “excluding the working classes from the legitimate political space”<ref>{{cite web|author=[[Vincent Glad]]|title=Yellow Vests: My mail is filled with social contempt|url=https://www.liberation.fr/debats/2019/02/08/gilets-jaunes-mon-courrier-des-lecteurs-est-rempli-de-mepris-social_1707987|newspaper=[[Libération (journal)|Libération]]|date=2019-02-08|access-date=2019-02-15}}.</ref>.

Consequently, according to lecturer Christophe Benzitoun, readers adopt two different attitudes: {{quote|There are social groups that do not mind. On the other hand, other groups will find the message unreadable and refuse to read it all the way through}}<ref name="letelegram_27/12/2018"/>.

== References ==

== References ==