More than 600,000 rally across France for wages and schools

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 19:51 · Archive

More than 600,000 people rallied across France on Thursday demanding higher wages and school funding.

More than 600,000 people rallied across France on Thursday in demonstrations demanding higher wages and school funding, according to the Interior Ministry. The figure was provisional. Large crowds gathered in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities, most of which remained peaceful. Students carried signs reading 'Inequalities seriously jeopardize our future' and 'We can't spend our whole lives just trying to make a living'. They were joined by workers and retirees demanding higher wages and pensions.

About a third of France's high schools were closed or unable to operate, some due to student blockades and others because teachers were on strike. Public transportation was disrupted in some areas, and the Eiffel Tower was closed. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 70,000 police officers were deployed, backed by armoured vehicles, drones and helicopters.

Tensions flared in some locations. Authorities in Brittany reported that masked individuals attempted to block roads in Rennes, with young people committing 'serious acts of violence' including throwing steel balls at police. Scuffles and other incidents were reported in Lyon, Nantes, Pau, Orléans, Rennes and Toulouse. Police have faced criticism for using heavy-handed tactics against protesters.

How it is being reported

• Mass protests sweep France as huge crowds demand higher wages, back students' demandsPittsburgh Post-Gazette · 5 Nov, 19:18
• More than 600,000 rally across France to demand higher wages and school fundingPARIS — France’s Interior Ministry said more than 600,000 people rallied Thursday across France, including in Paris, to demand higher wages and school funding in nationwide strikes and demonstrations.TribLIVE · 5 Nov, 16:18

In this story: France · Paris · Laurent Nuñez · Lyon · Marseille · Brittany

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