French students and trade unions join Yellow Vests for nationwide protests

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to demonstrate across France on Saturday, October 17, France 24 reported. High school students, trade union members, and supporters of the Yellow Vest movement are joining together for nationwide protests over the rising cost of living and the country's fraying social model. [1][2][3][4][6]

France 24 and RFI reported that the demonstrations follow an unsuccessful meeting between protesting high school students and the education minister of France on Thursday. The Yellow Vests called on students to join them in mass demonstrations, while high school pupils stated they will not reduce pressure on the government. [1][4]

Security forces are preparing for widespread demonstrations. According to France 24, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated on French television that police officers could use stun grenades if extreme violence occurs. EU Today reported that France is bracing for up to 500 protest actions across the country. [1][7]

The original yellow vests protests were a series of weekly grassroots demonstrations in France that began on November 17, 2018, and concluded on June 28, 2020. [9]