• Greta Thunberg participated in protests with French students over deteriorating school conditions.
• The protests have seen more than 70,000 participants nationwide, with issues like teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms cited.
• Over 6,800 individuals, largely minors, have been arrested amid clashes with police during the demonstrations.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg joined high school students in France on October 13 to protest against poor educational facilities and conditions, primarily at the Lycée Paul Éluard in Saint-Denis. Thunberg stated, "Young people are not being included in the conversation. Our future is being robbed away from us," highlighting the urgency of youth concerns surrounding education and broader social issues, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

The ongoing protests, which began in late September, are driven by demands for better school infrastructure, adequate staffing, and reduced class sizes. During the latest demonstrations, approximately 200 schools were reportedly closed in advance to prevent further violence, according to Education Minister Edouard Geffray, as students blockaded entrances and organized marches across France, as reported by India Times and Le Monde.

Protesters have reported incidents of police brutality, with claims of excessive force used against demonstrators. Thunberg characterized the police response as "extremely violent" and noted that "hundreds" have been injured due to clashes, with over 6,800 people detained, according to Al Jazeera and India Times.

French President Emmanuel Macron responded to the ongoing unrest by encouraging a dialogue between the government and protesters, stating that issues concerning educational institutions require consultation and respect. He emphasized that such grievances should be addressed through discussions rather than violence, as noted in India Times and Al Jazeera.