French Protests Spread, Over 1,300 Arrested Nationwide

Large protests continued across France on Saturday, with authorities reporting over 1,300 arrests as some demonstrators clashed with police in several cities. The demonstrations drew hundreds of thousands of participants, though they were largely peaceful before sporadic violence broke out. Police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds in Paris and other cities, with fires set on barricades in Marseille and protective panels torn from shops in Bordeaux. The interior ministry estimated 410,000 protesters nationwide, while unions claimed 800,000, and 53 police officers were reported injured. The protests, sparked by rising living costs and poor school conditions, come six months before France's presidential election. President Emmanuel Macron has limited demonstrations to those organized by recognized unions, while major candidates from both the far-right and far-left have blamed his government for the unrest.