French school protests draw 71,500 as Wembanyama backs student demonstrators

More than 71,500 students and teachers marched across France on Thursday over conditions in state schools, while Spurs star Victor Wembanyama voiced support.

• The Interior Ministry said 71,500 people took part in Thursday's demonstrations, including 24,500 in the main Paris march.
• The Interior Ministry reported more than 500 arrests and 500 schools closed amid clashes, with police deploying tear gas to disperse protesters.
• Wembanyama told a news conference Thursday that the inequalities are systemic and that he hears and supports the protesting students.
• Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced the deployment of 3,000 substitute teachers to struggling institutions.
• Student and union organizations continued to demand 10 billion euros in education funding and improvements to Parcoursup.
• The Education Ministry said 141 of 3,700 high schools remained closed Friday, down from 157 on Thursday, with over 96% running normally.
• Student unions, dissatisfied despite government concessions, called for a new day of strikes and demonstrations on Tuesday.
• The government offered a consultation platform and budget amendments to answer the protesters' demands.
• The government said 6,877 people have been arrested since the protests began, with 86% under 18.
• The government's offer also includes extra funding for teachers who agree to work overtime.