French Protests Draw 500,000, Trigger Curfews and Arrests

Around 500,000 people protested across France over the weekend, leading to over 2,000 arrests and prompting the government to impose curfews in several cities to curb violence and looting. The protests began as a student movement in September over school resources and conditions, expanding into broader grievances against the cost of living, public services, and President Emmanuel Macron's government. Nearly 3,000 stores were affected, and authorities mobilized 60,000 security personnel. Analysts note the decentralized, spontaneous nature of the protests, which lack central leadership, making them difficult to control. The government has blamed far-left groups for orchestrating the violence, an accusation those groups deny.