French protests over living costs spread nationwide, joining student unrest

Protesters across France called for street demonstrations Saturday against rising living costs, joining high school students' grievances over education conditions after more than three weeks of school blockades. Saturday’s mobilization follows calls on social media to revive the yellow vest movement, which emerged in 2018 against social injustice. Student groups protesting since mid-September have urged supporters to join. The CGT, one of France’s major labor unions, also backs the protests, calling for “higher wages and pensions, lower prices and the protection of public services that meet people’s needs.” President Emmanuel Macron appealed Friday for calm and respect for people and property as officials warned of possible violence. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said hundreds of protest actions and more than 80 marches were expected nationwide. In recent weeks, France has seen thousands of arrests, hundreds of injuries, and schools set on fire as the new school year descended into nationwide student protests.