French Student Protests Draw 71,500 Thursday

French students and supporters held nationwide protests Thursday over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, poor facilities and other education concerns, drawing 71,500 marchers, down from Tuesday’s 266,000. Most demonstrations were peaceful, but clashes in Paris and elsewhere led police to use tear gas and water cannons; the Interior Ministry reported 504 arrests and 48 officers injured. The government announced an emergency plan to send additional teachers to understaffed schools and review heavy timetables, but student leaders rejected its promises and called for a nationwide strike on October 17. The movement has broadened to include concerns such as discrimination and student welfare, while public opinion remains divided.