In the French capital, spontaneous protests broke out ahead of a planned large-scale student demonstration, one of which led to clashes with police and the use of tear gas, infohub.kz reports.
A major rally of high school and university students is scheduled for Saturday in Paris. It is expected to draw not only students but also far-left activists, supporters of the Yellow Vests movement, taxi drivers, nurses, construction workers, and union members. Participants will march from Place de la République to Place de Clichy. Another rally planned for the Bastille area was canceled by the city's police prefecture.
Even before the main demonstration began, several unauthorized spontaneous protests were seen in the capital. One took place in the Grands Boulevards area. A group of demonstrators chanted "Freedom for France!" and "Macron out!" Aggressive youths began provoking police officers, leading to scuffles. Protesters started overturning metal barriers installed on the boulevard, as well as trash bins, to block the police's path.
According to TASS, police detained 40 people in Paris before the start of the two main protest marches. Most are suspected of carrying weapons and prohibited protective gear. In addition, early in the morning another group of aggressive individuals blocked the entrance to the building housing the CNEWS television channel and Europe 1 radio newsrooms and smashed several windows with stones; after police intervened, 21 more rioters were detained.
Recall that in late September, France was gripped by protests of high school students—for a week now, schoolchildren have been blocking educational institutions. More than 600 people were reported detained. BBC Russian Service reported that 65 school staff members, including 40 school principals, were injured during the unrest. In addition, mass protests spread to Belgium—demonstrations took place in two cities in the country.