[Report] Armored vehicle in front of the Elysee Palace… “But we won’t stop protesting.”

(Paris = Yonhap News) Correspondent Hwang Yun-jeong = Porte d'Italie in Paris, France, on the 24th (local time).

There was tension as protesters gathered in groups of twos and threes while police officers carrying riot shields, clubs, and helmets were deployed.

Mr. Baptiste (28), a member of the Paris branch of the trade union Confederation of Trade Unions (CGT), who led the protest against the poor educational environment and the rapidly rising cost of living, said, "The cost of living is rising at a fast pace, but wages are stagnant," adding, "Some people cannot even buy fuel to drive to work."

The French government mobilized police, military police, and armored vehicles to respond to the protests on this day. The day before, the French government announced that it would deploy 70,000 police nationwide to the protests. During the large-scale protests that took place across France on the 17th, there was criticism that the protests failed to be controlled due to a lack of police power.

Military police vehicles were deployed on the main road near Port d'Italie, and armed military police officers were also seen.

Paris police initially allowed the march between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation, but later announced that the march route would be changed to the southeastern Porte d'Italie and Porte de Vincennes sections away from the city center.

The French government calculated that 410,000 people participated in the protest across the country, including 110,000 in Paris. Although the number decreased from 550,000 on the 17th, hundreds of thousands of people still took to the streets despite full and partial bans on demonstrations in various places, giving an idea of ​​the scale of angry public sentiment.

Esteban (20), who went to Place de la Bastille with his friends to participate in the protest and heard that the starting point of the march had been changed to Porte d'Italie, said, "The government is actually trying to hinder and prevent the protest as much as possible. The government is blaming our protest on the 'France Unbowed' (LFI) (an extreme left-wing political party), but that is absolutely not the case."

At the same time, he mentioned high school students, firefighters who did not receive equipment support during last summer's major fire, and gas prices, and said, "The recent protests are a protest against numerous issues that are ignored in France."

Shobito (19), a college student, said, “The government is trying to instill fear in the protesters,” and added, “All we are asking for is the same natural rights enjoyed by previous generations, and that they listen to our stories calmly and without violence.”

On this day, luxury stores and shops throughout Paris had their show windows and entrances blocked with plywood or steel panels. The protests on the 17th were marred by looting, arson, and violence. Major art museums in Paris, including the Louvre Museum and the Musee d'Orsay, were closed for the day.

Military police armored vehicles were deployed in front of the Elysee Palace, where the presidential residence is located, and police were controlling access to nearby roads. There were also layers of iron fences installed on the surrounding streets.

In particular, tensions were heightened as one person was killed and five others, including a 12-year-old girl, were injured in a shooting near Paris the previous day. French authorities began an investigation, believing it was likely a terrorist attack targeting immigrants. President Emmanuel Macron visited Trapp, a city near Paris, where the incident occurred, and condemned it as a 'racist terrorist attack.'

The protest on this day was the first large-scale protest held since the protest on the 17th, in which more than 500,000 people participated (government estimate) across France.

The starting point of this protest was the anger of high school students. Student protests that began last month to protest teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and outdated school facilities have spread into large-scale protests against the sharp rise in living costs and deteriorating public services, coupled with backlash against the government's austerity fiscal policy. Problems that had accumulated over the years, such as the young generation's anxiety about the future, high prices, low economic growth, and enormous government debt, all exploded at once.

Pierre (64), who held a picket sign that he made himself, said, “I have an 8-year-old daughter and I came out because I was worried about her future.” He said, “Children should participate directly in creating the world they will live in.”

Rennie (20), a college student who is studying 2D and 3D animation, said, "Most people who came out to protest are very afraid of what France will become in a few years," and added, "Whether they are high school students or college students, everyone is participating (in the protests) to have better conditions, better income, and a proper working environment." In particular, he said, “Life has become very difficult due to rising prices, especially gasoline prices.”

The French government declared a hard-line response, saying, "There is no compromise in riots," but also tried to appease students and workers to prevent the spread of protests.

President Macron met with student representatives in person for the first time since the student protests began the afternoon before and heard their demands. According to AFP, President Macron reportedly promised to reform the university admissions platform in a meeting that lasted three hours. Improving Parcoursup (university application platform) is a key demand from students.

Taxi driver Pauline (45) said she supported the students' protest and said, "My daughter is 18 years old and applied to college, but was unable to get in because of the current system."

There were also foreign media reports that the French government was considering a plan to bring forward the minimum wage increase as an additional measure to resolve the complaints of protesters.

Mr. Baptiste, a member of the CGT Paris branch, said, “It is only a small increase of about 15 euros per month,” and argued, “A substantial increase of at least 100, 200, and 300 euros is needed.” He said, “So far, it has been mainly student protests, but now the union will join this movement in earnest.”

The 'Yellow Vest' movement, which pushed President Macron into the greatest crisis with months of anti-government protests in protest against the 2018 fuel tax hike, announced that it would open a 'second act' of protests, and major unions have also announced a general strike on the 5th of next month.

“I hope the government will take the necessary steps and listen to our voices, but the government is not willing to listen to us,” said Rennie, a college student. He said the movement will not stop, at least not in the near future.