Weekend protests in France for 5 weeks in a row... “It is not possible to measure government waste.”

On the 14th (local time), students and workers protested against soaring prices and poor educational conditions in France for the fifth consecutive week.

According to AFP and Associated Press, protests led by student groups, labor unions, and social groups were held in cities across the country, including the capital Paris, Marseille, Nantes, Toulouse, and Strasbourg.

Protesters held up French flags and signs that read, “No justice, no peace,” “SOS for living expenses,” “Ruining education, ruining health, ruining culture,” and “Rather than listening to students, they just block them.” A large puppet depicting President Emmanuel Macron in a comical manner also appeared at the protest.

“What the government has given us is bread crumbs,” said Benjamin Bal, a member of the Yellow Vests. “We want the whole bakery.”

Meanwhile, labor unions and student groups have pointed out that the government's measures to improve the educational environment and reduce living hardships, such as raising the minimum wage, are only 'crumbs'.

Demonstrators also protested the police bill being considered in Congress. As teenagers were seriously injured one after another during high school student protests, controversy arose over excessive police response, which served as a driving force for the spread of protests.

The police bill being promoted includes provisions that require police use of weapons to be based on self-defense. Supporters, including presidential front-runner Marine Le Pen's far-right National Coalition (RN), defend the bill, saying police should not automatically be suspected of using disproportionate force, but activists say it is a "license to kill."

On this day, several protesters held signs saying, “We oppose giving police a license to kill.”

The French government is also pursuing a property damage compensation law that would make people liable for looting and property damage that occurred during protests even if they were not directly involved. This bill was approved by the Senate at the end of last month and is awaiting review by the House of Representatives.

Adrien (20), who participated in the protest, said, “We are afraid when we go out to protest,” and expressed concern, “If their immunity is strengthened by this bill, we will become more afraid.”