France braces for bigger school protests as 'day of mobilisation' gets under way
France saw widespread high school and trade union protests over poor conditions in schools on Tuesday, with a new 'day of mobilisation' expected to draw even larger crowds and rising tension with police.
Large-scale protests are expected across France today as high school student groups join forces with trade unions for a so-called 'day of mobilisation'. Demonstrators say schools are dilapidated and understaffed, and they are demanding improvements to conditions in the education system.
After a week of student-led protests, thousands of trade unionists, teachers, public sector workers and parents' groups are expected to join solidarity marches in cities and towns across the country today. While smaller demonstrations are planned nationwide, the main protest will take place in Paris, due to begin in the early afternoon.
Widespread disruption
According to preliminary figures, teaching was disrupted at nearly 600 of France's 3,700 high schools on Tuesday, along with 32 universities. More than 5,000 people have been arrested since the protests began a week ago.
The demonstrations have escalated in recent days, with growing numbers of school blockades and repeated violent clashes between protesters and police. Organisers and participants accuse law enforcement of responding to the protests with excessive force.
The unrest in France comes amid a broader day of developments being tracked across Europe, including a drone incident in the Black Sea and political developments in Germany.
