Protests in France grow after police crack down on student demonstrations

What Happened

Riots and protests over high living costs and strained public services have spread across France, leaving city halls on fire and shops ransacked. The unrest began in September with school protests and grew after clashes on October 17 in Paris, Marseille, and Lyon. Police deployed 70,000 officers and used tear gas, baton charges, and stun grenades, leading to nearly 7,000 arrests of minors.

Reaction

Parents, teachers, left-wing politicians, and trade unionists joined student marches after seeing police baton-charge teenagers. Emilie Berthier de Grandry, a 42-year-old protester, said people refuse to be pushed around. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez expressed regret for injuries caused by crowd-control weapons but defended their use, while President Emmanuel Macron blamed far-left radicals and promised to restore order.

Context

President Emmanuel Macron faces a tough political landscape as public finances remain strained and his party lacks a legislative majority. The upcoming presidential election in April adds urgency to the protests, which show no sign of stopping despite government proposals on wages and education.