Paris protests turn violent as police fire tear gas at 400,000 marchers

French police used tear gas and water cannons Saturday after clashes erupted in Paris, with over 400,000 people rallying nationwide over school funding and living costs, leading to nearly 1,000 arrests. The Paris march turned violent at its endpoint as masked protesters threw objects at police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons. Turnout estimates varied, with the Interior Ministry citing 410,000 protesters and the CGT union claiming nearly 800,000. The unrest challenges President Emmanuel Macron's authority before May elections, with far-right and far-left candidates leveraging the crisis. Protests began over high school funding and spread to broader economic grievances, including soaring energy prices and inequality.