French protests draw thousands over school conditions and debt

Tens of thousands of demonstrators filled streets across France on Saturday, with protests centered on school conditions and broader political grievances. In Paris, 19-year-old Charlotte said she was marching for her mother, a teacher who cries monthly over insufficient pay. Authorities deployed over 70,000 police officers nationwide following last weekend's violent clashes. At least 135 people have been arrested, and police used tear gas in Lyon, where protests were banned. The movement began with school blockades in Paris suburbs on September 21 and spread to roughly a thousand schools within ten days. The protests have expanded beyond education to encompass France's record-high public debt, which reached 119 percent of GDP. Researcher Youssef Souidi noted that disadvantaged areas like Seine-Saint-Denis struggle to retain experienced teachers, and warned that heavy-handed policing could undermine young people's faith in democracy.