Social protests in France: Tens of thousands of people again on the streets

afp/dpa | In France, people protested against the government for the fifth Saturday in a row. According to the Interior Ministry, around 106,000 people took to the streets across the country, including 24,000 in Paris - the lowest number of participants in recent weeks. Student unions put the number of demonstrators at 200,000, including nearly 100,000 in the capital. 70,000 police officers were deployed across the country.

In Paris, for example, there were protests against a bill that would provide further protection to police officers who use their weapons. Others called for better educational conditions, more children's rights or simply a better France.

The protests were largely peaceful. However, police used tear gas in Paris, Bordeaux and Nantes. Previously, some people had set off fireworks, among other things. The Interior Ministry reported 219 arrests. Ten police officers were slightly injured.

In Lyon, police had to intervene to protect a team of television reporters after protesters attacked them, local authorities said.

"It was very, very violent, one of them received several blows," a journalist who witnessed the attack told AFP. “His camera was thrown to the ground, broke, and then they took it and stole it.”

The protest began in high schools. Students have been demonstrating for weeks for more teaching staff, money to renovate ailing schools and against injustice in the education system.

In mid-October, the protest coincided with demonstrations against high costs of living. The yellow vest protest movement, among others, called for this. Even if fewer people are now taking part in demonstrations, the social protest does not necessarily stop. Unions have called for another strike on Tuesday.