By Townhall Chicago News Staff
Riot police used tear gas and water cannons in Paris on Saturday as protests over schools and the cost of living spread across France, Fox News reported.
About 400 people were arrested nationwide, according to Fox News. In Lyon, protesters set the city’s tourism office on fire. In Paris, police moved against demonstrators who smashed and looted shops.
High school students have led weeks of protests over decaying school buildings, teacher shortages and long school days, Fox News correspondent Stephanie Bennett said. The protests have since drawn in older demonstrators angry over the cost of living.
“Angry high schoolers have protested for weeks over decaying buildings, lagging teachers and long school days,” Bennett said. “But the high cost of living, fuel prices and underfunded public services are some of the other issues.”
French officials said protesters face prosecution, according to Fox News, though the report did not specify which officials or whether formal charges had been filed. The report did not say whether the unrest had spread beyond Paris and Lyon.
The protests come as France grapples with pressure over public spending and the cost of living. Fox News did not report a timeline for when the demonstrations might end.
