France braces for nationwide protests as unions, farmers, and Yellow Vests join students

France is bracing for potentially massive nationwide protests on Saturday, with authorities expecting up to 100,000 demonstrators outside Paris and tens of thousands more in the capital, as unions, farmers, and Yellow Vests join ongoing student-led demonstrations. The protests stem from weeks of student anger that began in support of striking teachers near Paris and escalated into a national crisis, fueled by heavy-handed police tactics including videos of officers beating students and using tear gas and water cannons. Police have banned gatherings at several Paris locations, and some 40 people have been detained in the region. The interior ministry reports 900 police officers injured versus 248 students, a figure met with public skepticism, while a temporary ban on one stun grenade type has been rescinded. Protesters also cite high gas prices, and police have confiscated handmade signs, drawing free speech concerns.