On Saturday 24 October, massive protests once again took place in France. Thousands of people took to the streets in many cities of the country including the capital Paris. The protesters are protesting against the government on issues like better funding for schools, rising inflation, employment, salaries and pensions. There was a clash between police and protesters in the last round of protests in Paris. The police released tear gas and tried to disperse the crowd by using water cannon.
France According to the Home Ministry, about 4 lakh 10 thousand people took part in the protest across the country. At the same time, about 1,000 people have been arrested and this number may increase. The biggest demonstration took place in Paris on Saturday. According to the Home Ministry, about 1 lakh 10 thousand people participated in the march here. The demonstration started peacefully, but later the situation worsened.
Police used tear gas at many places and tried to disperse the protesters by using water cannon. The administration had limited the path of demonstration in Paris to the south-eastern part of the city. The march started from Port d’Italie and reached Port de Vincennes. Here some protesters tried to move towards Place de la Nassie, but the police stopped them.
Situation worsened in many cities also
Apart from Paris, police also used tear gas in Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand and Strasbourg. Water cannons were used in Nice and Nantes. A clash broke out between a few dozen people and police near the end of the demonstration in Marseille. According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, 64 people were arrested and 40 remain in police custody in connection with Saturday’s demonstrations. Six minors are also among those arrested. Most of these people are suspected of possessing weapons or being involved in a group preparing to commit violence and damage to property.
Deployment of 70 thousand policemen
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez had announced the deployment of 70 thousand policemen across the country before the demonstration. Helicopters, armored vehicles and water cannons were also included in the security arrangements. This demonstration took place after the violence last week. Last Saturday, more than 5 lakh people took to the streets. During that time, about 3 thousand shops were damaged or looted across France.
School and inflation became major reasons
The movement began last month in protest against staff shortages at a high school southeast of Paris. After this it spread throughout the country. Students are demanding better education system, while employees are demanding higher salary and better pension. According to Education Ministry data, 1 crore 54 lakh teaching hours were affected due to the absence of teachers in government middle and high schools in the academic year 2024-25. This was 7.5 percent of the total scheduled teaching time.
Student organizations are demanding 2 lakh 50 thousand additional seats in higher education. They are also demanding abolition of the selection process through the National Admission System. Their demands also include appointment of more teachers in schools and universities and repair of educational institutions. The students are also demanding an increase of 200 euros per month in scholarship and a halt in rent for government student residences.
Union angry over ban on demonstrations
The administration had banned demonstrations in some cities including Lyon, Nice and Montpellier. Trade unions have opposed these restrictions. He says that this violates the right to freedom of expression. Meanwhile, organizations associated with the Yellow Vest Movement have called for another demonstration on October 31. In such a situation, the series of protests in France is likely to continue.
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