400,000 March Across France as 70,000 Officers Deployed

Crowds filled streets in cities across France on Saturday.

The government estimated that at least 400,000 people participated in the nationwide demonstrations. Trade unions countered with a figure of 800,000. More than 70,000 police officers were deployed to manage the events, leading to boarded-up shops and closed museums. In Paris, officials counted at least 110,000 marchers along the eastern edge of the city.

Participants primarily supported high school students who have demanded more teachers and repairs to deteriorating school buildings since mid-September. The movement began with students aged 15 to 18 protesting staff shortages, leaking roofs, and a lack of chairs in overcrowded classrooms. It has expanded to include trade unions, teachers, and parents. Marchers also voiced anger over the cost of living and what they described as heavy-handed policing. Some carried banners reading "Oppression breeds rebellion" and "The right to protest."

While the mood in Paris remained relaxed for much of the afternoon, tensions rose at the route's end near Porte de Vincennes. Groups of masked men in black, who did not appear to be part of the peaceful march, threw glass bottles and stones at officers. Police responded with teargas, water cannon, and stun grenades. A bin was set on fire, and fireworks were launched toward the line. Similar clashes occurred in Marseille, while teargas was fired in Lyon, Lille, Montpellier, Nantes, and Toulouse to keep protesters out of city centers.

The government had feared a repeat of the previous Saturday, which saw one of the most violent days of unrest in years. Public buildings were burned, hundreds of shops were looted, and at least 2,700 people were arrested. President Emmanuel Macron faces criticism for banning non-union demonstrations deemed "illegitimate" and for keeping protesters away from central districts. Nadège, a 43-year-old communications worker, said she was teargassed the previous weekend. "It does take courage. People are afraid now," she said.

Jérôme Rodrigues, a key figure from the 2018 gilets jaunes movement, said the government is afraid of demonstrators near places of power. He predicted demonstrations would continue each weekend. In Orléans, thousands marched against a congress held by Marine Le Pen's National Rally party. The crowd shouted "Macron, resign. Le Pen in prison." Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced 135 arrests across France. Police confiscated metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, improvised weapons, a katana sword, and airsoft weapons.