70,000 Police Deployed as Left-Wing Strikes Shut French Schools

France put 70,000 police on the streets Thursday as left-wing groups and unions staged nationwide strikes and protests over wages, the cost of living and public services.

An official close to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said about 270,000 people had joined union action at 180 rallies outside Paris by early Thursday. Nuñez said the officers were backed by armored vehicles, drones and helicopters. About a third of the country's high schools were closed or unable to operate because of student blockades and teacher strikes, AP reported.

In Lyon, riot police fired tear gas and charged a group of protesters. A high school near Toulouse was set on fire, per Reuters. In Rennes, authorities said masked individuals tried to block roads and some committed "serious acts of violence," including throwing steel balls at police. The Eiffel Tower was closed, and the U.S. Embassy warned Americans of severe disruption, possible sudden curfews and potential violence.

The unions' joint statement read: "Fuel, food products, rent, gas, electricity... everything's going up except wages and pensions." They warned France is on the brink of recession. CGT leader Sophie Binet urged supporters to "turn up in big numbers on the streets today."

It follows violent protests in October that outgoing President Emmanuel Macron blamed on "ultra-left groups whose aim is to bring down the Republic." Macron cannot run again; AP calls Marine Le Pen the favorite to succeed him next May.