Mass protests in Paris over school funding and living costs spark clashes with police
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More than 100,000 people marched in Paris demanding better school funding and relief from rising living costs, leading to confrontations with police that used tear gas and water cannons.
More than 100,000 demonstrators gathered in Paris on Saturday to protest school funding shortages and soaring living costs, challenging President Emmanuel Macron's government. Police estimated the turnout at about 110,000 and said the march was confined to the city’s southeastern edge.
The crowd, composed of students, union members, environmentalists and other groups, marched in cold, rainy weather. Near the Porte de Vincennes, some participants threw bottles and rocks at officers, prompting police to charge, deploy tear gas and fire water cannons. The clashes lasted roughly an hour, and authorities reported no looting.
Police also used tear gas in Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand and Strasbourg, and water cannons in Nice and Nantes, while officers in Marseille fired tear gas during local disturbances. The Paris prosecutor’s office said 64 people were arrested, including six minors, mainly on suspicion of weapons offenses or involvement in groups preparing violence or property damage.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez had announced a nationwide deployment of up to 70,000 officers, supported by helicopters, armored vehicles and water cannons. Trade unions led the procession, followed by protesters carrying flags and handmade placards.
"There are enormous numbers of people in the same situation as me but who aren’t privileged and who find themselves living on the streets and in squats and, frankly, it’s very tough," said Camille Chesnier, a 27-year-old engineer.
"We are tired of the government because the cost of living is higher. The policemen just goes against the population — kids, everyone. ... And also fascists are rising in France. And we need to hear everyone because we are tired and we need to be heard as citizens," said Domitille, 25, speaking to NBC News.
The protests, which began last month over staff shortages at a high school southeast of Paris, have expanded into a broader movement demanding higher wages, better pensions and reforms to the university admissions system. Energy prices were 21.3% higher in September than a year earlier, contributing to an overall inflation rate of 3.1%, according to INSEE.
Authorities banned rallies in several cities, including Lyon, Nice and Montpellier, prompting trade unions to denounce the restrictions as violations of freedom of expression. In Marseille, police reported 17,000 participants, while the CGT union estimated 100,000. Similar demonstrations took place in Toulouse, Orléans and other locations.
Shops across France suffered damage, with about 3,000 storefronts affected, and major museums such as the Louvre and the Orsay closed for security reasons. The unrest is testing Macron’s authority in the final months of his term, as the far-right National Rally accuses the government of failing to protect the public.