German students protest changes to education system

BERLIN — Tens of thousands of German high-school and university students are protesting against changes to the country’s educational system.

Organizers say 240,000 students across the country were taking part in Wednesday’s rallies. The students are lobbying for smaller class sizes, better training and an end to tuition fees that have been introduced at some universities.

Most demonstrations were peaceful, but in Mainz protesters occupied a state parliament building and covered it in toilet paper.

In Duesseldorf, 7,000 students marched to the state education ministry, carrying signs with slogans like "abolish tuition."

Organizers in Berlin say 27,000 took part in a peaceful demonstration outside the city hall. Police say only 12,000 were involved.

- The Associated Press