France: Education sector groups to stage demonstrations in Paris and other urban centers Feb. 1

Unionized education sector workers plan to strike and demonstrate in Paris and other major urban centers Feb. 1. Participants will demand increased pay and denounce job cuts and the government's education reforms. The largest national event will likely be in Paris, where participants will gather at 14:00 at the Luxembourg metro station. The protest will follow similar events in recent weeks; it is possible that several thousand people may take part.

Regional union leaders plan multiple other events across France. The largest of these are likely to be:

• Bordeaux: Place de la Bourse, at 14:00

• Nice: Place Garibaldi, at 10:00.

Heightened security and transport disruptions are likely in the vicinity of the protests. Violence is unlikely at the events.