Protesters in France's 'dark day'

Around 250,000 French people protested to express support for students regarding deteriorating facilities and teacher shortages at high schools.

On 6/10, around 250,000 people across France, including in Paris, participated in protests. Student and teacher unions organized these demonstrations, dubbed "dark tuesday", to voice discontent over deteriorating facilities and teacher shortages in high schools.

The protests were largely peaceful. Many adults joined to show support for the student movement.

The image shows teachers and parents linking arms to form a "human shield", protecting students during a march in Toulouse.

Lea Monimart, a protester in Lille, northern France, stated that students must be heard. She affirmed that they are mature and knowledgeable enough to understand the issues they are addressing.

Emilia Sichili Suriam, a French parent, urged teachers and parents to protect their children, emphasizing that students' right to protest and make demands is legitimate.

Despite mostly peaceful marches, some individuals engaged in vandalism, setting fire to trash cans and other items on the streets.

Some protesters clashed with riot police. French authorities deployed thousands of riot police, equipped with batons and shields, ready to confront aggressive demonstrators.

Riot police used water cannons to disperse the crowd in Rennes, western France.

In several areas, police used pepper spray when confronting protesters.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that the police response was proportionate "in most cases". He noted that protests sometimes turned into riots, necessitating intervention from authorities.

A protester wearing a protective mask stands amidst police tear gas smoke.

French police suppress protesters. Video: Reuters

The French Interior Ministry reported that at least 488 people were arrested and 43 security personnel were injured during the 6/10 protests.

After more than two weeks of protests by French high school students, over 6,500 people, mostly young individuals, have been arrested. According to the French government, at least 215 students and 715 police officers have sustained injuries since the movement began.

French authorities began closing schools last week to de-escalate the protests. The French Ministry of Education reported that teaching activities were fully or partially suspended on 6/10 at 891 schools.

In response to accusations of ignoring protesters' concerns, the French Ministry of Education launched an online portal. It invited high school students to anonymously share difficulties they face at school and suggest desired changes.