Paris protest November 5 student and general strike blockades, Digi Mart USA News (Paris, France): A demonstration on a fixed route between République and Nation is taking place on Thursday, November 5, alongside several high school blockades. A call for a general strike has been issued across several sectors, joining the ongoing high school and student mobilization.
According to France 3 Régions, authorities expect between 500,000 and 700,000 protesters across France. That is roughly comparable to previous days of mobilization, which some estimates put at up to 800,000 demonstrators nationwide.
The mobilization began several weeks ago among high school and university students and continued on Thursday. According to figures relayed by state services to France Télévisions, 81 schools were blocked across France at midday, representing 2.2% of establishments, according to the same estimates.
In Paris, several high schools were blocked on Thursday morning, including Sophie Germain, Turgot and Claude Monet. Police presence was visible near the Sophie Germain high school.
The Union syndicale lycéenne called for the blockades. The SNES-FSU and FSU-SNUipp unions called on staff to strike and participate in the movement, and private education unions also called on employees to strike.
