France protests - everything you need to know as cost of living crisis and school blockades spark carnage

Need to know France protests - everything you need to know as cost of living crisis and school blockades spark carnage Riot police have unleashed tear gas across cities throughout France and detained at least 400 people as thousands of demonstrators take to the streets to protest against the cost of living, soaring fuel prices and the state of public services What you need to know about the protests in France - Protesters across France took to the streets on Saturday, driven by rising living costs and weeks of student unrest over deteriorating education conditions. - The demonstrations revived the spirit of the 2018 yellow vest movement, with high school students leading blockades since mid-September and urging others to join. Major labour union CGT also backed the protests, calling for "higher wages and pensions, lower prices and the protection of public services that meet people's needs." - Protesters across France responded to calls on social media to revive the "yellow vest" movement, which emerged in 2018 against social injustice. - President Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm ahead of the marches, warning that protest rights must be balanced with responsibility - Interior Minister Laurent Nunez's office reported "a growing number of violent incidents" across the country, including assaults on officers, looting and damage to public buildings with at least 272 arrests nationwide - In Paris, police fired tear gas and water cannons to push back people wearing hoods and masks and throwing fireworks, paving stones and other objects at officers in the Place de la Republique - In Lyon, a tourist office was razed to the ground after being set ablaze. Tens of thousands are marching in Paris alone, with police deploying tear gas and a water cannon on crowds gathered at the Place de la République. - In Marseille, a town hall was stormed and barricades set alight, as footage appears to show demonstrators launching an attack on a bank. - Police confirmed that 150 protesters were detained in Paris "primarily for carrying weapons or prohibited protective gear". President Emmanuel Macron has made a plea for "calm" and urged demonstrators to show "respect for people and property". - Student protests in France have seen hundreds of thousands flood the streets since demonstrations first erupted late last month. Protesters are calling for greater investment in their schools, voicing anger over a shortage of teachers and staff, overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings. - Read the full story of today's events here: France protests live: Lyons tourist office set on fire as rallies turn violent