Police fire teargas at French protesters on biggest day of school demonstrations
Thousands of students and teachers across France are protesting against poor classroom conditions and underfunding. While many demonstrations were peaceful, some turned violent in cities like Strasbourg and Lyon, leading to police intervention.
Why it matters
The protests highlight growing social unrest and dissatisfaction with the education system, posing a significant challenge to the French government.
Thousands of students, teachers and parents have taken to the streets across France on the biggest day of action against understaffed and dilapidated classrooms.
In Strasbourg, Lyon and Rennes, the demonstrations at times have turned violent.
Unions say more than half of France's high schools are blockaded or are closed for the day, with more protests expected later.
Link copied Share Share article Tens of thousands of demonstrators have been marching in cities across France in support of protests by school pupils demanding more education funding, increasing pressure on the government of outgoing President Emmanuel Macron.
In Marseille and Nantes, protesters held up signs marked with "The state has killed national education" and other messages, in largely peaceful rallies.
In Toulouse, parents linked arms at the front of a march through the city.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in