France Erupts: Tear Gas and Clashes as Hundreds of Thousands Protest Cost of Living and Education

Paris and Lyon saw police deploy tear gas against demonstrators as hundreds of thousands, predominantly young people, marched across France. The protests, now in their third consecutive weekend, voiced concerns over the escalating cost of living and the condition of the nation's educational institutions. A coalition of youth organizations and unions reported a turnout of nearly half a million participants nationwide, with approximately 200,000 in Paris. Official figures from the authorities placed the national attendance at 320,000, including 70,000 in the capital.

While initial marches in Paris began peacefully, tensions escalated near the planned end point of the main demonstration. Protesters set fire to bins and street furniture, sending plumes of smoke into the Parisian sky. Al Jazeera's Natacha Butler, reporting from Paris, described the scene, stating, "What we’ve been seeing … is the police firing a lot of tear gas into this crowd," adding that her team had to retreat due to the intensity of the gas.

Riot police issued warnings via loudspeakers, threatening further tear gas deployment if the street was not cleared. Medics were seen assisting injured individuals, while some protesters held their hands up to signal peaceful intentions. On the outskirts of Paris, dozens of masked individuals reportedly used hammers to dislodge paving stones and throw them at police. An incendiary device was also reportedly thrown at security forces, who responded with tear gas and baton charges.

The French Ministry of Interior announced that at least 290 arrests were made nationwide. Butler noted that while most protesters condemned the violence, many expressed a loss of faith in the government's responsiveness. "You really get a sense with people who have come into the street again and again over the past few weeks that they simply don’t believe the government any more. That trust has gone," she reported.

The government maintains it is addressing the protesters' concerns. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has engaged in discussions with student unions and is considering measures to alleviate the cost of living. Approximately 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed across the country, with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez warning of a significant risk of disorder, particularly around Halloween.

The primary Paris march was rerouted to the city's eastern edge following a last-minute legal challenge. Additionally, unaccompanied minors were subject to a 9 pm curfew in areas around the Champs-Elysees. The movement initially stemmed from high school students protesting issues such as neglected school buildings, teacher shortages, and an inequitable university admissions system. Labour unions have since joined the cause.

Meanwhile, similar protests have reverberated across Europe. On October 17, demonstrations in France drew over 500,000 people and resulted in some of the country's most severe rioting in years, with looting reported in Paris. In Germany, thousands rallied in Cologne against rising costs, education cuts, and proposed military conscription, leading to police using water cannons. Organizers claimed 170,000 people had registered for demonstrations in over 30 German cities. Spain's regional police in Barcelona were on high alert following riots on October 24 that led to approximately 130 arrests, predominantly minors. Italian police were also on alert after clashes occurred in Milan, Turin, and Bologna.