More than 410,000 people took to the streets across France, including over 110,000 in Paris, as students and other demonstrators called for better school conditions, education reforms and increased public spending. French authorities reported more than 1,300 arrests, 75 fires and damage to shops, while deploying 70,000 police officers to contain unrest in major cities including Paris, Lyon and Marseille.
Although officials said violence had eased compared with the previous week, clashes continued in Marseille, where police used tear gas and charged crowds after tensions escalated. Students are demanding more than $11 billion in education funding, while the government has indicated it can offer just over $1 billion. With a presidential election approaching, protesters say they will continue pressing for change. Follow the latest developments in France’s protests, education funding debate and political tensions.