'Our future is being robbed': Greta Thunberg joins France student protests

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg joined French high school students advocating for improved learning conditions on Tuesday, ahead of upcoming nationwide demonstrations. Standing alongside students outside a school in Paris' largest suburb, Thunberg expressed her frustration, stating, "Young people are not being included in the conversation.

Our future is being robbed away from us." The protest, backed by unions and the far-left opposition France Unbowed party, included a march through Paris and similar events in other cities.

Over 70,000 people participated in the last major event of this movement, which began in late September. French authorities expressed concern about potential violence, with Education Minister Edouard Geffray noting that around 200 schools were closed, down from the previous week's figure. In Paris, teenagers had blocked school entrances, while in Marseille, students pushed dumpsters in front of their high school.

French students claim they are determined to push the government to address issues like teacher shortages, deteriorating buildings, overcrowded classes, and other grievances. Despite mostly peaceful demonstrations, clashes have occasionally erupted with police. Eight teaching staff members were injured on Monday due to the protests.

Authorities reported injuries to two school workers in Reims, one in a Paris suburb, and a police officer outside a Marseille school. Thunberg emphasized the need for authorities to listen to young people, as they feel unheard and their proposals are disregarded. Thousands of arrests have been made during the protests, and French authorities have opened internal investigations into 24 alleged instances of brutality against demonstrators.