Nearly 1,000 Arrested as Protests Over Cost of Living and Schools Shake France

Police made nearly one thousand arrests across France on Saturday as violent clashes broke out during mass demonstrations over school funding and the high cost of living. More than four hundred thousand people rallied nationwide in a fresh challenge to President Emmanuel Macron. The Interior Ministry estimated nationwide turnout at four hundred ten thousand protesters, while the CGT union put the figure at nearly eight hundred thousand. In Paris, the march drew between one hundred ten thousand and two hundred fifty thousand people.

Clashes And Police Action

While the Paris march began peacefully, masked protesters near the end point in eastern Paris hurled objects and fireworks at security forces. Police responded with tear gas, sound grenades, and water cannons. Officers used megaphones to urge crowds to disperse while smoke filled the streets. Violence also broke out in other cities. In Marseille, youths burned rubbish bins to block roads and threw rocks and bottles at security forces. Police deployed tear gas in Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, Strasbourg, and Bordeaux, and used water cannons in Nice and Nantes. In Nice, eleven people were arrested after far-right extremists fought with downtown demonstrators. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that police made close to one thousand arrests, with numbers expected to rise as counts continued. Authorities deployed seventy thousand officers backed by helicopters and armoured vehicles, which officials said prevented a repeat of the widespread looting seen the previous weekend.

Background And Demands

The unrest began more than a month ago from high school protests demanding more funding and teachers, and has since grown to include workers seeking help with soaring fuel and living costs. President Macron met high school representatives on Friday, where he reportedly promised to overhaul university admissions, but student groups called for protests to continue until concrete measures are announced.

Context

France has a long history of large-scale street protests and labour strikes as a primary way for citizens and unions to pressure the government on economic policy. These demonstrations come during the final months of President Macron's term before voters choose his successor in May, placing heavy political pressure on his administration.