Activist Greta Thunberg joins French students in nationwide protests over school conditions

In Paris on October 13, French high school students joined university students, teachers, and unions, along with Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, in nationwide protests demanding improved school conditions. Authorities and participants were cautious about potential violence as the elections to replace President Emmanuel Macron loomed just months away. The protests, which have taken place since late September, have seen teenagers stack dumpsters and security barriers outside thousands of France's 3,700 high schools.

French students are protesting against issues such as a shortage of teachers, dilapidated buildings, overcrowded class schedules, and other grievances. Despite recent rallies in Paris, Nantes, and Strasbourg, authorities and participants expressed concern over the protests' potential escalation, especially with half-term holidays approaching at the end of the week.

Thunberg, who gained international attention for her climate change activism, joined the demonstrations and addressed the crowd at Paul Eluard high school in Saint-Denis, the heart of the movement. "Young people are not being included in the conversation. Our future is being robbed away from us," she told reporters.

In the wake of the protests, Macron urged protesters to show restraint. "These are issues that deserve time, consultations, discussion and respect," he said. Since the start of the protests, over 6,800 people — primarily minors — have been taken into police custody, and 24 allegations of brutality against demonstrators have been opened for internal investigation by the police.

The government has promised to deploy 3,000 substitute teachers in the coming days to replace absent staff at the 114 worst-affected high schools, with 35% of the substitute teachers already assigned as of the day of the story.