Youth unions put attendance at 450,000, while the Interior Ministry counted 256,000. Clashes broke out near the end of the Paris march; AP also reported tear gas use.
High-school students, parents, teachers and union activists demonstrated in cities across France on Oct. 6, calling for more funding and resources for schools. The youth inter-union coalition estimated turnout at 450,000 nationwide and 100,000 in Paris, Franceinfo reported. The Interior Ministry put the figures at 256,000 and 56,000, respectively.
In Paris, the march set off at about 2:30 p.m. from Place de la République toward Place de la Nation. Franceinfo reported clashes at the end of the march. The Associated Press also reported clashes between small groups of protesters and police, and the use of tear gas to control crowds. The organizers’ and ministry’s figures differed substantially.
The Education Ministry said classes were fully or partly suspended at 891 of the country’s roughly 3,700 high schools, for a range of reasons. The demonstrations came after several weeks of school blockades and demands for better learning conditions, enough teachers and repairs to school facilities.
Organizers described Tuesday’s action as the third stage of the mobilization. Adults and union representatives joined the pupils. Although estimates of turnout differed, the protest took place across the country and disrupted classes at hundreds of schools.