More than 250,000 individuals flooded streets throughout France on Tuesday, joining a student-led movement that has persisted for two weeks. Teachers, parents, and union activists mobilized alongside students to protest what they describe as a severely underfunded high school system. As the demonstrations expanded nationwide, authorities in Paris and Marseille deployed tear gas, while water cannons were utilized in Rennes to manage escalating tensions.
The unrest resulted in significant confrontation between law enforcement and protesters. While some gatherings remained orderly with students displaying signs highlighting staff shortages and overcrowding, other scenes depicted chaos, including street fires and projectile-throwing. The demonstrations followed calls from the Union Syndicale Lycéenne (USL) and Union Étudiante (UE) for nationwide blockades of high schools and universities, urging broader support from political and trade organizations.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu addressed Parliament, characterizing the events as causing “the heaviest toll in decades paid by the school system.” He reported that at least 215 teenagers and 85 educational staff members had been injured, alongside more than 700 police officers. According to the Interior Ministry, approximately 6,100 arrests have been made since the protests began. Lecornu condemned acts of arson, stating, “Burning down a high school does not improve the state of high school buildings,” and labeled the violence unacceptable.
Concerns over police conduct have also surfaced. A 15-year-old student in Northern France reportedly lost his hand and part of his lower arm after picking up a non-lethal police grenade during an altercation on Monday. François-Xavier Lauch, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, confirmed the injury to regional newspaper La Voix du Nord. The General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN) is currently investigating the incident.
The disruption to education has been extensive. The Education Ministry confirmed the closure of at least 900 high schools on Tuesday, though the USL estimates the figure could be as high as 2,000. In response to mounting pressure, the ministry launched a national consultation for students on Monday. Running until October 23, the portal aims to offer a secure platform for young people to voice their concerns regarding the lycée system.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray emphasized the government’s need to listen, stating, “It is essential for us to hear from all high school students and to take into account the diversity of their educational experiences.” Meanwhile, protesters continue to cite aggressive policing and a lack of being heard as primary grievances. Joanna, a university student who previously attended high school in a Paris suburb, told the BBC that while some students resort to arson, they feel it is necessary to get attention. TIME has requested comment from the Interior Ministry.
Nearly 1,000 schools closed hurts everyone, not just protesters. I wonder how these students catch up on missed coursework.
Is the government really listening if they are calling it the ‘heaviest toll in decades’? Seems like more rhetoric than action.
A student losing his hand? That is absolutely terrifying and completely changes the tone of this entire movement.
250,000 people is a massive turnout. The violence is concerning, but the underfunding grievance is undeniably valid.