Thousands of demonstrators gathered across France this Saturday, marking the fifth consecutive weekend of nationwide protests. The Yellow Vest movement, students, and education unions participated, articulating a range of grievances spanning from the escalating cost of living and demands for improved education funding to calls for enhanced protection for children and teenagers, and strong opposition to a new police bill.
In Paris, many protesters converged on the Place de la Republique, a historically significant site for national demonstrations. Marius Mesnil, Co-Secretary-General of the Union Syndicale Lycéenne, highlighted student concerns, stating, "We’re asking to have teachers when we go to class. We’re asking to not have ceilings collapsing on us when we eat in the canteen. We’re asking, when we get our A-levels, despite conditions getting worse every year, to be able to carry on our studies at university." France has been grappling with school blockades and protests for over a month.
The interior ministry estimated approximately 106,000 people took part in Saturday's demonstrations nationwide, with 24,000 in Paris. Organisers, however, placed the figures significantly higher at 200,000 across the country and 100,000 in the capital. Despite the continued activism, Saturday's turnout was lower than previous weeks. The largest recent protest occurred on Thursday during a union-led strike, which saw more than half a million people participate nationwide.
Unions have announced another day of strike action for next Tuesday, following their rejection of the government's offer to raise the minimum wage by 0.6%, which they deem insufficient. Benjamin Ball, a member of the Yellow Vest movement, captured the sentiment, saying, "The government has only given us crumbs, and we want the whole bakery."
A significant point of contention among demonstrators is a proposed police bill designed to grant additional protection to police officers and gendarmes when using firearms in the line of duty. Supporters of the bill, including Marine Le Pen's far-right party—currently leading in presidential race opinion polls—contend that the legislation is necessary to prevent law enforcement officers from being automatically presumed guilty of excessive force.
Conversely, unions have condemned the bill as a "license to kill" for police, arguing it would further impede accountability for law enforcement officials. In France, cases of alleged police brutality rarely reach a criminal court. Sabrine Kharbach, spokesperson for the Student Union, elaborated on this concern: "What the so‑called 'licence to kill' law, which is being put to the vote next week, provides for is literally that a police officer who fires will first be presumed to have acted lawfully." She added, "Yet another layer of impunity for those who club us, gas us and maim us. Yet another layer of impunity for this police force that acts as the armed wing of the state."
Kenza, a 28-year-old demonstrator in Toulouse, southern France, also voiced her concern, stating, "The repression of protesters is unacceptable, especially when children are involved." Last week, local media reported that lawyers representing at least 18 individuals injured during recent protests in France announced their intention to sue the interior ministry, citing its responsibility for alleged police brutality. They criticized the police's use of force at demonstrations, which they claimed resulted in "mutilations," including injuries to protesters' hands, feet, and eyes.
