Clashes erupted in central Paris on Tuesday as student demonstrations across France entered their third week, with police deploying tear gas and fires breaking out during the Paris march.
Student and teachers’ unions reported that roughly 480,000 people participated in nationwide rallies, indicating a significant increase in mobilization compared to the previous week. The protesters continue to voice dissatisfaction with worsening learning conditions and chronic understaffing in schools.
The escalation in the French capital brought climate activist Greta Thunberg to the forefront of the movement, as she joined teenagers at a high school in Saint-Denis to show solidarity with the demonstrators.
Despite the tensions and police intervention, activists indicated an intent to sustain the momentum and maintain pressure on the government regarding their demands for educational reform.
Chronic understaffing has been an issue for years. It is good to see students finally making some noise about it.
Tear gas in Paris again? This level of escalation is concerning. I hope it doesn’t push people further away from rational dialogue.
I never thought I’d see Greta Thunberg at a school protest in France. That definitely brings more global attention to the cause.
480,000 students marching is a massive show of force. The government really needs to listen before things get worse.