French Government Deploys 70,000 Officers for Nationwide School Protests
Crowds of 400,000 marched across major cities on Saturday, challenging President Macron amid rising tensions over education and policing.
By Gabriela Ivanov ·
More than 70,000 police officers were deployed across France on Saturday to monitor nationwide demonstrations that government estimates put at 400,000 participants. The massive mobilization followed a previous weekend of severe unrest, during which public buildings were burned and at least 2,700 people were arrested. Shops were boarded up and many museums closed to prepare for the crowds.
In Paris, at least 110,000 people marched along the eastern edge of the city. The atmosphere remained relaxed for much of the afternoon, with brass bands playing and families participating in the walk. Banners carried by marchers criticized the government’s approach, with slogans such as "Oppression breeds rebellion" and "The right to protest" visible to onlookers.
Tensions escalated at the end of the Paris route near Porte de Vincennes. Groups of masked men in black, who did not appear to be part of the main peaceful march, threw glass bottles and stones at officers. Police responded with teargas, water cannon, and stun grenades. A bin was set alight, and fireworks were launched toward the police lines.
Similar clashes occurred in other major cities. Teargas was fired in Lyon, Lille, Montpellier, Nantes, and Toulouse to prevent protesters from reaching city centers. Bin fires were lit during clashes in Marseille. The interior minister, Laurent Nunez, announced that 135 people had been arrested nationwide. He stated that weapons were confiscated, including metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, improvised weapons, a katana sword, and airsoft weapons.
Trade unions disputed the government’s count, claiming the number of marchers was double the official estimate. The protests began in mid-September when students aged 15 to 18 started demonstrating against staff shortages and crumbling school infrastructure. The movement has since expanded to include teachers, parents, and trade unions, making it the largest youth movement in years.
Critics directed anger at President Emmanuel Macron for banning non-union demonstrations deemed illegitimate and for keeping protesters away from city centers. Nadège, a 43-year-old communications worker, said she had been teargassed at a peaceful demonstration the previous weekend. She stated, "I'm out again peacefully today to support everyone who is brave enough to demonstrate. It does take courage. People are afraid now."
A 21-year-old student from a blockaded Paris science faculty described the government as increasingly authoritarian. Jérôme Rodrigues, a key figure from the 2018 gilets jaunes movement, said the government was afraid and pushing demonstrators to the city edges. He added, "It's not police shields that will provide an answer to French people struggling and unable to make ends meet." Police investigations are under way after some children and protesters were injured by explosive police weaponry.
In Orléans, thousands of people marched against a congress held by Marine Le Pen's National Rally party. The crowd shouted, "Macron, resign. Le Pen in prison." Le Pen is a frontrunner in next year's presidential election, while Macron steps down from office next year. Some demonstrators wore yellow vests, recalling the anti-government protests of 2018 and 2019.
