Protests have returned to the streets of Paris, with French police firing tear gas and using water cannon to disperse demonstrators at Place de la Republique. The situation remains volatile, with waves of protesters entering the square as police repeatedly push them back. The demonstrations began with high school students protesting against deteriorating school infrastructure, teacher shortages and excessive workloads, before expanding into a broader movement over the cost of living and economic conditions. Members of the Yellow Vest movement, which emerged in 2018 over rising fuel costs, have also joined the protests. French President Emmanuel Macron is holding a crisis meeting with Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, cabinet ministers and senior police officials ahead of an expected national address. Protesters have placed a yellow vest on a statue at Place de la Republique and covered it with graffiti criticising Macron and the police. While some demonstrators accuse police of using excessive force, others have expressed anger over the destruction and looting reported across French cities.
Al Jazeera’s Rebecca Collard reports from Paris.
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