Mass Protests in France Support High School Students' Demands

Mass rallies continue across France in support of high school protests, increasing pressure on President Emmanuel Macron. According to the Interior Ministry, approximately 161,500 people participated in rallies on Tuesday, more than double the 71,500 reported for the nationwide demonstrations on Thursday. Unions organizing the protests estimate the total turnout at 480,000. While most demonstrations were peaceful, some violence occurred during one of the two marches in Paris, which had an estimated 41,500 participants. Additional protests took place in Nantes, Lyon, Lens, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Marseille, as reported by police. The student movement began last month, with students blocking school entrances to demand improved classroom conditions. A perceived heavy-handed police response to the students has led to increased participation in the protests. The police have opened investigations into 34 allegations of violence against demonstrators, and the Education Ministry reported that 147 teaching staff have been injured during the protests. On Monday, Macron called for restraint from protesters, stating that the issues “deserve time, consultations, discussion and respect.”