More than 600,000 people took to the streets in various cities across France on Thursday to protest the rising cost of living. These protests have emerged in response to dissatisfaction with public services and the high prices of goods.
Protester Count Report
The French Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nunez, announced that the number of protesters increased from 270,000 to 600,000 throughout the day. These protests were particularly noticeable in large cities such as Paris, Lyon, and Marseille, with over 70,000 police and security forces deployed across the country to maintain order.
Gatherings and Violence
Some of the largest student gatherings in October turned violent, where protesters damaged stores and fires broke out in public buildings, including the town hall of Limoges. French President Emmanuel Macron has blamed far-left groups for this violence and promised to increase the number of security forces at gatherings.
The protests on Thursday began in the southern cities of Marseille and Lyon, as well as Nantes in the west. Reports indicate that in the Brittany region, masked individuals attempted to block roads in the city of Rennes. Additionally, a high school near the city of Toulouse was set on fire.
Union Demands
Educational and labor unions have called for workers to strike, and railway, public hospital, and postal service unions have also joined these strikes. They are demanding an increase in the minimum wage, general wage increases, tax reforms, and improvements in educational conditions for youth.
Nearly one-third of high schools in France have been closed due to student blockades or teacher strikes. The state railway company SNCF has also announced that only minor disruptions in long-distance travel services are expected.
The main demonstration in Paris began at 2 PM local time, and reports indicate that protesters left the streets peacefully by nightfall.
