Greta Thunberg backs French school protests over resources

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 17:03 · Archive

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has joined high school protesters in France demanding better funding for run-down schools.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg threw her support behind high school protesters in France on Tuesday, joining hundreds of teenagers demonstrating outside Paul Éluard high school in Saint-Denis, north of Paris. She told The Associated Press that 'the whole world is watching with awe' and praised students for 'fighting back, reclaiming their future that has been taken away from them'.

Staff and students at Paul Éluard have long complained of dilapidated facilities, including rat infestations. The protests, which have continued for over three weeks, involve blockading and demonstrating outside schools around the country to demand better resources and conditions.

Police response to the demonstrations has intensified. On Tuesday, officers fired tear gas and repeatedly charged protesters when violence erupted on the fringes of Paris marches that drew thousands. Despite mass arrests, mounting injuries and fatigue, the movement shows no signs of losing momentum.

Thunberg said this generation has grown up with hopelessness about the future. 'Of course people are going to fight back,' she said. The students' grievances have also resonated in neighbouring Belgium, where some schools in Liege closed in response to similar unrest.

How it is being reported

• Greta Thunberg backs French high school protests over run-down schoolsGreta Thunberg has thrown her support behind high school protesters in France.Clickorlando · 13 Oct, 14:35
• Greta Thunberg backs French high school protests over run-down schoolsGreta Thunberg has thrown her support behind high school protesters in France.News4Jax · 13 Oct, 14:35

In this story: Greta Thunberg · Paul Éluard high school · Saint-Denis · Paris · France · Belgium

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