France school protests draw 250,000 as arrests top 6,000

At least 250,000 students, teachers and parents protested across France over dilapidated schools, teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms. The movement began with high school blockades in Creteil on September 17 and has drawn a heavy police response, with over 6,000 arrests, most of them minors. Amnesty International France urged authorities to avoid excessive force.