Mapping how France’s protest wave spread across Europe

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported that a protest wave that began in France in mid-September has spread across much of Europe, with more than 1,700 demonstrations and riots involving 100 or more people recorded in 31 countries between September 15 and October 30, according to an analysis of ACLED data. The article said France has been the center of the movement, with more than 1,200 such events there over that period, far ahead of Spain, Italy, Germany and Portugal.

The unrest started with high school walkouts over overcrowded classrooms, missing teachers and deteriorating buildings, then broadened into wider protests about living costs, wages, housing and public services. The piece said rallies in France have drawn trade unions and the yellow vest movement, while some protests have included looting, clashes and other violence. On Saturday, French authorities said 146,000 people demonstrated nationwide, including 46,000 in Paris, although unions gave higher estimates.

The report also described a heavy police response, including tear gas, batons and large deployments of security personnel. Al Jazeera noted that UN experts later raised concerns about what they called excessive force and disproportionate arrests, especially of minors. Beyond France, protests with similar themes were reported in countries including Spain, Italy and Portugal, suggesting broader public frustration over the cost of living and strained social services.