Saturday's rallies sought to merge the grassroots Yellow Vest movement, which first emerged in 2018 over living costs, with three weeks of student unrest ahead of next year's presidential election. President Emmanuel Macron had called for calm on the eve of the demonstrations as organizers anticipated up to 200,000 protesters nationwide.
The student movement began in September at high schools in poorer northern Paris suburbs over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings before spreading to campuses across the country. Since the unrest began, police have arrested 6,877 people, mostly minors, and recorded injuries to around 700 officers and 200 students, while US President Donald Trump blamed the demonstrations on "out of control mass migration" and Islam.