Greta Thunberg Joins 161,500 Marchers in French School Protests as 214 Schools Close
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 13
Greta Thunberg Joins 161,500 Marchers in French School Protests as 214 Schools Close
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 13
Summary
Greta Thunberg appeared at a Saint-Denis high school on Tuesday, joining French student protests that drew 161,500 marchers nationwide, including 41,500 in Paris.
Students are demanding more teachers, better facilities and shorter school days, while Thunberg condemned what she called an "extremely violent" police response.
French authorities say more than 6,800 people have been detained since the unrest began in September, with fires, barricades and clashes reported in several cities even as many demonstrations stayed peaceful.
The disruption has shut 214 schools, and scrutiny of policing intensified after a 15-year-old in Lens lost a hand and part of his lower arm when a dispersal grenade exploded.
With France's presidential election due next May, the protests have become a political flashpoint as Jean-Luc Mélenchon joined marchers, Marine Le Pen denounced protest violence and Emmanuel Macron urged restraint and dialogue.