Police and Students Clash at Paris Rally Over Education Conditions

French riot police deployed tear gas and batons against demonstrators in Paris on Thursday afternoon, escalating tensions during a nationwide wave of student protests focused on deteriorating education standards.

Thousands of high school and university students gathered near the Bastille Monument in the French capital, with some climbing the landmark while waving national flags and singing the anthem. Reuters footage captured CRS riot officers charging into the square to clear the area as red smoke filled the air.

The unrest is part of a broader movement that began in September, driven by complaints about absenteeism among teachers, overcrowded and dilapidated classrooms struggling with rising temperatures, and inadequate funding. The demonstrations have drawn support from teachers and parents across the country.

Earlier in the day, protesters barricaded the Helene Boucher High School in northeastern Paris using trash bins. Many participants wore surgical masks or hoodies to conceal their identities as riot police surrounded the site in adjacent streets. The school has frequently been a focal point for clashes in the capital and was one of hundreds of institutions disrupted during Thursday’s blockades.

While most rallies have remained peaceful, isolated incidents of arson and vandalism targeting bus shelters were reported. In response, authorities utilized tear gas, batons, and blast balls. Human rights organizations and child advocacy groups have criticized law enforcement for excessive force, particularly following an incident in which a teenager lost a hand.

Following the injury, the government suspended the use of stun grenades for crowd control on Wednesday. According to the Interior Ministry, police have made over 6,600 arrests since the protests intensified in late September, when students—most under the age of 18—began their campaign for increased education investment.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu addressed the crisis on Wednesday evening, promising that the government would deliver “concrete, quick, and fully funded responses” to the students’ demands by the end of October. However, protest leaders dismissed the timeline as insufficient and called for continued marches.

In a televised statement, Lecornu condemned the violence affecting students, staff, and police, noting that schools had been set fire to or vandalized and that thousands of hours of instruction had been lost. He also highlighted the prevalence of threats and insults directed at educators and officers.