France national day of protests face down riot police, tear gas, water cannons : NPR

Key Points:

• Over 266,000 people, including many high school students, protested across France demanding increased education funding, with significant demonstrations in Paris, Marseille, and Strasbourg, escalating pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's administration.
• Police used tear gas and made nearly 500 arrests during the largely peaceful protests, which have included school blockades and class boycotts, sparking criticism over the heavy-handed response, especially against minors.
• Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez defended police actions as proportionate amid instances of violence and injuries, while Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called for dialogue with students but condemned "ultra violence" affecting schools.
• Protesters highlighted issues such as underfunded schools, inadequate facilities, staff shortages, and heavy workloads, emphasizing the broader context of social discontent including rising poverty and inequality under Macron’s tenure.
• The Education Ministry responded by closing nearly 900 schools and launching an online portal for students to anonymously report school difficulties, but student leaders insist protests will continue until their demands are met.