An estimated 50,000 people demonstrated across France on Saturday, January 5, In the first major gilet jaunes, or "yellow vest," protests of the new year. Saturday marked the eighth consecutive week of protests throughout France.

The protests -- named after the yellow high-visibility jackets French motorists must carry in their vehicles -- started November 17, 2018 in reaction to an eco-tax on gas but have since morphed into disparate demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron.

Riot police stand in tear gas in Toulouse, France, during a protest January 5.
Riot police stand in tear gas in Toulouse, France, during a protest January 5.
PASCAL PAVANI/AFP/Getty Images
Yellow vest protestors kneel in Lyon on January 5. About 50,000 people demonstrated throughout France on Saturday, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.
Yellow vest protestors kneel in Lyon on January 5. About 50,000 people demonstrated throughout France on Saturday, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner.
Romain Lafabregue/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters warm their hands over a burning tree in a Paris street on January 5.
Protesters warm their hands over a burning tree in a Paris street on January 5.
Lionel Urman/SIPA/AP
A firefighter tries to extinguish a burning car in a street in Paris on January 5.
A firefighter tries to extinguish a burning car in a street in Paris on January 5.
Ameer Al-Doumy/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters confront police during a "yellow vest" demonstration Saturday, December 22, in central Paris.
Protesters confront police during a "yellow vest" demonstration Saturday, December 22, in central Paris.
Christian Hartmann/Reuters
Demonstrators rally in the Montmartre area of Paris on December 22.
Demonstrators rally in the Montmartre area of Paris on December 22.
Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters block a highway near the French border with Spain on December 22 in Biriatou, France.
Protesters block a highway near the French border with Spain on December 22 in Biriatou, France.
Bob Edme/AP
Demonstators turn out December 22 near toll booths on the A9 highway in Le Boulou, France.
Demonstators turn out December 22 near toll booths on the A9 highway in Le Boulou, France.
Raymond Roig/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters gather December 15 at Place de l'Opera in Paris.
Protesters gather December 15 at Place de l'Opera in Paris.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Activists dressed like Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic, face riot police on December 15 in Paris.
Activists dressed like Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic, face riot police on December 15 in Paris.
Kamil Zihnioglu/AP
Demonstrators wearing yellow vests form a human tower December 15 on the Champs-élysées in Paris.
Demonstrators wearing yellow vests form a human tower December 15 on the Champs-élysées in Paris.
Kamil Zihnioglu/AP
A police water cannon sprays demonstrators on December 15 in Paris.
A police water cannon sprays demonstrators on December 15 in Paris.
Michel Euler/AP
Protesters take part in a demonstration on December 15 in Paris.
Protesters take part in a demonstration on December 15 in Paris.
Benoit?Tessier/REUTERS
Demonstrators run through tear gas during scuffles with police December 15 on the Champs-élysées in Paris.
Demonstrators run through tear gas during scuffles with police December 15 on the Champs-élysées in Paris.
Kamil Zihnioglu/AP
Police use tear gas on protesters at the Place de l'Opera in Paris on December 15.
Police use tear gas on protesters at the Place de l'Opera in Paris on December 15.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
A protester waves the French national flag during a demonstration on the Champs-élysées in Paris on December 15.
A protester waves the French national flag during a demonstration on the Champs-élysées in Paris on December 15.
Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images
French police apprehend a man on December 8 during a protest in Paris.
French police apprehend a man on December 8 during a protest in Paris.
Piroschka van de Wouw/REUTERS
Protesters wearing yellow vests gather on December 8 in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Protesters wearing yellow vests gather on December 8 in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Christian Hartmann/REUTERS
Demonstrators drop flat to the ground on the Champs-Elysees avenue during a protest on Saturday, December 8, in Paris.
Demonstrators drop flat to the ground on the Champs-Elysees avenue during a protest on Saturday, December 8, in Paris.
Rafael Yaghobzadeh/AP
Protesters install a barricade during clashes with police at a demonstration in Paris on December 8.
Protesters install a barricade during clashes with police at a demonstration in Paris on December 8.
Stephane Mahe/REUTERS
Protesters gather on December 8 in Paris.
Protesters gather on December 8 in Paris.
Stephane Mahe/REUTERS
A demonstrator is covered in blood after getting in injured during a protest in Paris on December 8.
A demonstrator is covered in blood after getting in injured during a protest in Paris on December 8.
Thibault Camus/AP
Protesters wearing yellow vests walk on the Champs-Elysees Avenue with the Arc de Triomphe in the background during a protest on December 8.
Protesters wearing yellow vests walk on the Champs-Elysees Avenue with the Arc de Triomphe in the background during a protest on December 8.
Christian Hartmann/REUTERS
Two demonstrators dance in front a group as they take part on December 8 in the demonstration at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Two demonstrators dance in front a group as they take part on December 8 in the demonstration at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
A protester reacts during clashes with police on December 8 in Paris.
A protester reacts during clashes with police on December 8 in Paris.
Piroschka van de Wouw/REUTERS
French gendarmes apprehend a protester on December 8 in Paris.
French gendarmes apprehend a protester on December 8 in Paris.
Stephane Mahe/REUTERS
Protesters throw objects at riot police on Saturday, December 1, during a demonstration that turned violent when protestors clashed with police in Paris.
Protesters throw objects at riot police on Saturday, December 1, during a demonstration that turned violent when protestors clashed with police in Paris.
Alain Pitton/NurPhoto/Getty Images
An injured woman sits on the ground as police officers spray yellow vest protesters with tear gas during a protest in Paris on December 1.
An injured woman sits on the ground as police officers spray yellow vest protesters with tear gas during a protest in Paris on December 1.
Elyxandro Cegarra/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A burned car is left in the street a day after the yellow vests demonstration against rising oil prices and living costs in Paris on December 1.
A burned car is left in the street a day after the yellow vests demonstration against rising oil prices and living costs in Paris on December 1.
Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images
Firemen work to extinguish a burning car on December 1.
Firemen work to extinguish a burning car on December 1.
Abdulmonam Eassa/AFP/Getty Images
A demonstrator leaves as water cannons evacuate the Place de l'Etoile on December 1.
A demonstrator leaves as water cannons evacuate the Place de l'Etoile on December 1.
Kamil Zihnioglu/AP
A demonstrator watches a burning car near the Champs-Elysees avenue on December 1.
A demonstrator watches a burning car near the Champs-Elysees avenue on December 1.
Kamil Zihnioglu/AP
Riot police officers stand in position during clashes with demonstrators on December 1.
Riot police officers stand in position during clashes with demonstrators on December 1.
Lucas BariouletAFP/Getty Images
Protesters and police clash in downtown Paris on December 1 during a national demonstration.
Protesters and police clash in downtown Paris on December 1 during a national demonstration.
Laurence Geai/SIPA/AP
Hooded demonstrators smash a car.
Hooded demonstrators smash a car.
Thibault Camus/AP
A demonstrator throws a projectile during the December 1 protest.
A demonstrator throws a projectile during the December 1 protest.
Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images
A demonstrator treats a wounded man during a protest where police and demonstrators clashed, injuring dozens on December 1.
A demonstrator treats a wounded man during a protest where police and demonstrators clashed, injuring dozens on December 1.
Lucas Barioulet/AFP/Getty Images
French gendarmes apprehend a protester in Paris on December 1.
French gendarmes apprehend a protester in Paris on December 1.
Lucas BariouletAFP/Getty Images