Greta Thunberg Joins French Students Amid Nationwide Protests

On October 13, 2026, Greta Thunberg, 23, joined students demonstrating outside Lycee Paul Eluard in Saint-Denis. Education Minister Edouard Geffray said about 200 schools were closed Tuesday, fewer than the prior week. More than 70,000 people protested nationwide the previous Thursday. Teenagers blockaded school entrances before dawn in the Paris region; students in Marseille pushed dumpsters in front of their high school. Lawyers in robes formed a human chain after police brutality allegations. A midday Paris march and marches in other cities were planned. Thunberg told AFP young people are not being included in the conversation and their future is being robbed away from them. She told reporters outside the school that people worldwide are following and inspired by youth demanding basic rights. Leo said students are not heard enough and are disturbed by repression never before seen for a student movement. Macron said the issues deserve time, consultations, discussion and respect. More than 6,800 people, largely minors, were taken into custody; 24 internal investigations into brutality allegations were opened. Eight teaching staff were injured Monday, and fireworks injured school workers and a police officer. The government promised 3,000 substitute teachers for 114 schools, with 35 percent assigned; students say that does not go far enough.