Riot police tear gas French mayor shielding students at school protests | ABC NEWS

A Parisian mayor says he told police to stop as they "charged" at students demonstrating over poor education conditions in France.

Bally Bagayoko was tear gassed after he attempted to put himself between riot police and students.

"The high school children who were in the street could be my children," Mr Bagayoko said.

"It is my responsibility to be at their side."

The protests were sparked by complaints about overcrowded and unsanitary classrooms, teacher shortages and unequal opportunities. They began in marginalised suburbs, but soon spread across France.

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