On Tuesday, French authorities detained 440 individuals, mostly students, amid nationwide high‑school blockades that began in Paris and spread to over 400 schools across the country. The French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the arrests, noting that two‑thirds of those taken into custody were minors.
Teachers and students alike suffered injuries during the protests, with at least ten teachers, several students and 48 law enforcement officers reported hurt. Protesters set bins on fire and damaged bus stops, while police responded with batons and tear gas after projectiles were hurled.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray defended students’ right to protest but condemned the violence as "indefensible". He warned that extending blockades endangers students and public employees, calling for responsible demonstrations. Union Syndicale Lycéenne president Ryad Rani accused the government of repression and police of excessive force.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned that any escalation would be "irresponsible", citing incidents of fireworks, fires and violence near schools. Meanwhile, nationwide walkouts by teachers, hospital staff and civil servants added pressure on the government over low wages and working conditions.
Police stated the response to the protests was "extremely proportionate", though several French politicians criticised the force used. The protests, which involved an estimated 200,000 participants, largely proceeded without incident apart from the clashes in the high schools.
As the government grapples with the unrest, the focus remains on addressing the root causes of the student demonstrations, including overcrowded classes and a chronic teacher shortage.
