French Student Protests Draw 250,000

Students blockaded schools again Tuesday as parents, teachers, unions and supporters joined demonstrations; the government estimated about 256,000 people took part nationwide. The protests began in September at high schools in disadvantaged Paris suburbs, where students and teachers objected to teacher shortages and poor conditions. They have spread into a national fight over school funding, even as the government seeks €54 billion in budget savings. Students, parents and rights groups accuse police of disproportionate force, while the government says responses were proportionate in almost all cases. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said high schools would suspend regular classes this week for discussions on conditions.