French Protests Over Costs and Schools Turn Violent in 140 Cities

On October 17, an estimated 550,000 people demonstrated across 140 French cities against education funding shortages and rising living costs, with riots erupting in multiple locations as police used water cannons and tear gas. At least 1,800 people were arrested and 500 police officers injured. Protesters set fires, looted stores, and burned a town hall in Limoges, while luxury shops in Bordeaux and Lille were ransacked. The unrest follows weeks of student protests over teacher shortages and dilapidated schools, with unions and "Yellow Vest" activists joining. It comes roughly six months before France's presidential election, with leaders trading blame over the violence.