France Protests: 550,000 March Against Education and Living Costs
On Saturday, 550,000 protesters across France demonstrated against education costs and living expenses, with violence including arson, looting of luxury stores, and threats to storm the Élysée Palace, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to defiantly respond. In Paris, 110,000 demonstrators clashed with riot police using tear gas and water cannons, while 140 simultaneous protests occurred nationwide. Authorities arrested 400 people, including 110 in Paris, and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez blamed far-left militants for targeting public buildings. The unrest began as student protests supporting striking teachers and expanded to include trade unions and Yellow Vest activists. Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, second in presidential polls, accused police of provoking confrontation, while Macron vowed to bring lawbreakers to justice.