Student protests continue in France

Paris, Oct 8 (KUNA) -- The French Ministry of the Interior announced that approximately 71,500 people participated in student protests taking place across France on Thursday. The ministry said in a statement that the protests began that day in front of French schools with 55,000 participants, and the number increased as they turned into marches that swept through city streets. The ministry’s statement noted that French security forces arrested more than 500 protesters in various parts of the country. Meanwhile, French Education Minister Edouard Philippe told journalists after meeting with student groups that he would soon announce an “emergency plan” to replace absent teachers who support the protests. Philippe clarified, “I will present an emergency plan regarding the shortage of teachers; I will likely present the specific details within a few hours or days.” (End) m.b. / s.a.m.