Global News Edmonton has reported:

Montrealers gathered at Phillips Square on Saturday to support high school students protesting in France, where demonstrations that began over school conditions have expanded to address the cost of living and social welfare funding. Protesters in Montreal said they wanted to stand with students across the Atlantic and renew attention to rights and social gains in Quebec.

Since mid-September, French high school students have demonstrated for education reform. They say conditions at their schools deteriorated sharply after the summer break, with too few resources and staff. Similar protests have taken place elsewhere in Europe, including Greece, Belgium and Albania.

“Nobody should have to work this hard to do what they want to do in life and students in France, all they want to do is learn,” said Amara Grant, a young Montrealer, speaking at the Saturday protest. Grant also said students seeking to change the education system were being beaten by police. “When they try to protest and they try to change their state of being, their state education system, they’re getting beat up by the police,” she said.

Yves Hupé said protesters were concerned about political trends in both France and Quebec. “I think the society in Quebec like in France is drifting towards the right, more repression and threatening the social gains that have been in the past in terms of freedom,” he said. “The vision of the society that we defend actually is true for France, but it’s true also for Quebec.”

Activists said young people around the world face the cost of living and other crises that can impede their ability to pursue future goals. “The system we have right now is not working for us, we can’t afford to feed ourselves, we cannot afford an apartment, we can’t afford anything right now,” said Rebecca Bibeau at the demonstration.

The Montreal protesters also raised concerns about clashes between demonstrators and police in France. French officials said at least 166 people were arrested at demonstrations across the country on Saturday. Thousands of arrests have taken place since the protests began, and hundreds of people have been injured.

The Associated Press reported that in Paris, police used tear gas to push back people wearing hoods and masks who were throwing fireworks and other objects at officers. A large number of riot police were deployed in the area. On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm in Brussels, saying: “There is a constitutional right to protest and to express oneself. But this right comes with the need to respect. Respect for people, respect for property, and therefore a commitment not to insult or destroy.”

Montreal activists said allegations of police brutality were also in the headlines. They urged the Canadian government not to become complacent and said they would keep pressing elected officials. “We are the people, we outnumber you, you have to listen to us,” Bibeau said. The report included files from Global News’ Phil Carpenter and The Associated Press.