Hundreds of thousands marched in cities across France on Saturday in largely peaceful protests, advocating for schoolchildren’s demands for more teachers and repairs to dilapidated buildings. This demonstration comes as Emmanuel Macron faces a social and political crisis in his final months as president.
Protest Overview
Government estimates suggest at least 400,000 people participated, while trade unions claim the number is double that. In Paris, at least 110,000 people marched along the eastern edge of the city, voicing support for high schoolers and expressing grievances over the high cost of living and heavy government policing. Protesters criticized the deployment of riot police to target school demonstrations over the past month instead of addressing the underlying issues.
The atmosphere in Paris was peaceful and lighthearted, with brass bands playing and families present. Many carried banners with messages such as:
- “Oppression breeds rebellion”
- “The right to protest”
However, as the demonstration concluded at Porte de Vincennes, groups of masked individuals dressed in black emerged, leading to clashes with police. Some protesters threw glass bottles and stones, prompting police to respond with teargas, water cannons, and stun grenades. In various cities, including Lyon, Lille, Montpellier, Nantes, and Toulouse, police used teargas to prevent protesters from reaching city centers. In Marseille, there were reports of bin fires amid confrontations with law enforcement.
Government Response
The government estimated that nearly 400,000 people marched nationwide, while trade unions suggested the figure was much higher. The interior ministry reported almost 1,000 arrests, with over 70,000 police deployed across French cities. Many shops were boarded up, and numerous museums remained closed due to safety concerns. Authorities were particularly wary of a repeat of the previous Saturday's violence, which saw public buildings burned and over 2,700 arrests.
