there was a tense standoff with police firing tear gas to disperse groups of protesters, scenes similar to if less violent than the yellow vest protests of three years ago. protesters said they were inspired by the canadian blockades and wanted an end to government covid rules. translation: we've come - from reims, an hour and a half away from paris, to be a part of this freedom convoy. we are here today notjust because we are against the vaccine pass but also because of all the taxes the government is imposing on us. police tow trucks were brought in to remove the protesters' vehicles and traffic was able to resume. but some hours later, as evening set in, there were still small—scale skirmishes down the avenue and more tear gas being fired. the scenes on the champs—elysees may have been reminiscent of the yellow vest movement but, overall, the impact of the french so—called "freedom convoys" has been limited with no serious disturbance