France mobilized 70,000 security personnel nationwide ahead of Saturday's protests over living costs and education, with authorities pushing the Paris march to the capital's edge to prevent a repeat of widespread looting.
Thousands of high school students clashed with riot police across France in escalating protests over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and deteriorating school facilities. Hundreds of schools closed as demonstrations involving blockades, fires, and tear gas spread nationwide, with over 625 arrests reported.
About 400 French schools remained closed as student protests over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and crumbling facilities escalated into violence, with fires set and school principals injured. Intelligence agencies briefed the government that a hardleft party was behind the protests.
