Over 600,000 people rally across France for higher wages and school funding
Protests in cities including Paris and Lyon have placed fresh pressure on the French government amid economic concerns.
More than 600,000 people held rallies across France on Thursday, including in Paris, to demand higher wages and support for the student protest movement, according to the New York Post.
The Interior Ministry stated these figures are provisional. Major demonstrations took place in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and other locations, with most described as peaceful.
The protests occurred as about a third of France's high schools were closed or unable to operate due to teacher strikes and student blockades. Public transportation was disrupted in some areas and the Eiffel Tower was closed.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 70,000 police officers were deployed, supported by drones, helicopters, and armoured vehicles. Authorities in the Brittany region reported that masked individuals tried to block roads in Rennes and committed acts of violence, including throwing steel balls at police.
Main unions issued a joint statement warning that the country is on the brink of recession, noting that costs for fuel, food, rent, gas, and electricity are rising while wages and pensions are not.
SUD-Rail union national secretary Fabien Villedieu said at the Gare de Lyon station in Paris that they would strike when the government and the head of the national rail company, SNCF, are not reasonable.