France Sees Over 250,000 Protesters on Streets

Large crowds gathered in French cities on Thursday as five major unions organized a national day of strikes and protests. The demonstrations, which included students and citizens upset about high prices, saw over 250,000 participants by early afternoon.

The movement started with high school students in September, who protested over inadequate school resources and poor conditions. Over time, workers and the revived yellow-vest movement joined the cause, pushing for broader demands.

Tensions flared on 17 October when violence erupted in several cities, resulting in over 2,000 shops being looted and historic buildings set on fire. Since then, union leaders have reported that marches have been kept away from central Paris.

The primary demand is for higher wages. The minimum wage, or Smic, is currently €12.31 an hour, translating to €1,478 a month after taxes. The CFDT, France’s largest union, is calling for at least a €100 monthly increase, with its leader expressing satisfaction if 800,000 people join the protests.

Students are advocating for improvements in all public services, not just education. Alice De Brito of the Unef student union stated that the movement has broadened its focus to encompass the entire country’s public services.

The strike disrupted daily life, affecting schools, hospitals, and public transport. The Eiffel Tower and parts of the Louvre were closed, while the education ministry reported that 16% of teachers walked out. Unions claimed over a quarter of high schools and most universities were affected.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez deployed 70,000 police and vowed a firm response to any violence. Clashes occurred in Lyon and Rennes, with reports of masked individuals gathering near union marches in Paris, though the protest route was restricted from the city center.