French police fire tear gas as 400,000 protest nationwide; nearly 1,000 arrested

French police used tear gas and water cannons as over 400,000 people marched nationwide on Saturday, with nearly 1,000 arrests reported, intensifying pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's government amid protests over school underfunding and rising living costs. Violent clashes erupted in Paris, where demonstrators threw projectiles and looted shops, prompting authorities to deploy 70,000 officers with armoured vehicles and helicopters. Protests also spread to Lyon, Marseille, and other cities, with the interior ministry estimating 410,000 participants, though unions claimed nearly 800,000. The movement began over staff shortages at a high school and has expanded to demand better education funding, housing support, and grant increases. Macron met student representatives but organisers rejected his concessions, with comparisons drawn to the yellow vest protests and another national action planned for October 31.