Greta Thunberg joins nationwide French student protests over school conditions

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg joined students outside Paul Éluard high school in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis on Tuesday as demonstrations over conditions in French schools continued nationwide.

“Young people are not being included in the conversation. Our future is being robbed away from us,” Thunberg, 23, told reporters. Lawyers formed a human chain near the pupils amid allegations of police brutality during protests that began late last month.

Students are demanding action over teacher shortages, deteriorating buildings, overcrowded schedules and other problems. Their campaign has included blockades outside hundreds of high schools and has drawn support from university students, teachers, unions and the left-wing France Unbowed party. Thousands marched through central Paris on Tuesday, with rallies also held in cities including Nantes and Strasbourg.

The Education Ministry said 214 schools were closed Tuesday, most of them high schools. The student union l’Union Étudiante said 90% of universities were disrupted or closed in solidarity. More than 70,000 people participated in the previous major day of protests on Thursday.

President Emmanuel Macron called for restraint Monday, saying the disputes required “time, consultations, discussion and respect.” Justice Ministry figures cited by Al Jazeera and The Guardian said more than 6,800 people, mainly minors, had been detained during the protests, while authorities were investigating 24 allegations of police brutality.