Mass protests over decrepit conditions at France's high schools descended into sporadic violence Tuesday, leading to nearly 500 arrests and prompting President Emmanuel Macron to call an emergency meeting. Members of the public have accused the authorities of using disproportionate force as protesters clashed with the police in several French cities.
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across France as unions and teachers joined the high school students who for weeks have been demanding better learning conditions in protests punctuated by violent confrontations.
