French police arrested nearly 300 people on Wednesday as widespread protests, called by left-wing forces under the slogan “Paralyze Everything,” spread across the country.

Demonstrators set fire to trash cans and blocked highways, expressing their growing anger at the government of President Emmanuel Macron and its austerity policies.

Authorities deployed over 80,000 police officers nationwide to confront the demonstrations, which have exacerbated the political crisis.