High school students in France have engaged in violent protests, setting fires and throwing objects at law enforcement as part of a growing movement advocating for improved educational conditions. In response, police deployed tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
Students and their unions have indicated plans for further protests next week, asserting that the government’s actions have fallen short of addressing their concerns. The protests, which began in the Paris area in September, have spread across the nation, with students at final-year lycées blocking school entrances and clashing with police. They are calling attention to issues such as lengthy school hours, inadequate facilities, and high rates of teacher absenteeism.
While the government acknowledges the right of students to express their grievances, it has denounced the violence associated with the protests. This includes an incident where a police officer was pursued, attacked, and beaten by a group of youths. Additionally, a teacher in La Ciotat was reportedly assaulted and doused with gasoline by two individuals.
In Tours, a young man sustained serious injuries, losing the sight in one eye during clashes between students and police, as confirmed by the local prosecutor’s office. Nationwide, students have been protesting against teacher shortages and deteriorating school conditions.
On Friday, unions and student organizations called for continued demonstrations, urging participants to maintain pressure on the government. Ryad Rani, leader of the USL high school union, emphasized that students are seeking tangible actions from the government, which they feel have yet to materialize.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray reported that approximately 735 out of the country’s 3,700 schools were impacted by the protests, a decrease from the previous day. He noted that three staff members were injured, a significant reduction from the 31 reported the day before. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that there were 1,747 arrests made on Friday, highlighting incidents of projectiles being thrown and attacks on law enforcement and journalists.
In light of the ongoing unrest, Minister Geffray announced an initiative aimed at expediting the replacement of absent teachers. However, both students and police have exchanged accusations regarding the use of violence during the protests. A student from Lille, named James, criticized what he termed “extremely violent police repression,” arguing that such actions only serve to intensify student anger.
Reports from Brest indicated that police employed tear gas at Kerichen high school amid confrontations with students. In Paris, two high school entrances were damaged by fire, requiring intervention from the fire brigade. The police force has initiated internal investigations following allegations of brutality against demonstrators.
In Toulouse, protesters shared eye drops with one another after exposure to tear gas, while in Aubervilliers, police utilized batons and riot shields to manage the crowd. Minister Geffray stated that since the protests began, at least 65 staff members, including 40 high school principals, have been injured, alongside approximately 170 wounded students and significant damage to over 100 high schools. He emphasized the importance of keeping students safe and off the streets during this tumultuous period.
