3 October : Student protests have spread across France over teacher and classroom shortages, demands to renovate dilapidated educational institutions and calls for adequate funding for the education sector. More than 700 high school students have taken part in demonstrations in cities including Montpellier, Nantes and Marseille, outside the capital Paris.
Clashes between protesters and riot police were reported in several cities on Friday (2 October). French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said a total of 1,747 people were arrested across the country that day.
The protests, which began in Paris last week, have gradually spread to cities across France. Speaking to French television channel TF1, Nuñez said the situation was moving towards rioting and urban violence. He added that the government was taking all necessary measures to bring the situation under control.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said the situation was no longer limited to “high school students’ protests” but had evolved into incidents involving “disruption of public order”.
According to figures provided by Darmanin, 735 of the country’s 3,700 schools have been damaged in some way as a result of the violent protests. Police also seized various items during the demonstrations. Images released from the protests showed petrol bombs, an axe and fireworks. The Education Ministry said several educational institutions had suffered significant damage.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray told French broadcaster BFMTV that people from outside the student community had also joined the demonstrations. Government officials said their participation had made the situation more complicated.
In the northeastern city of Belfort, a police officer was attacked during Friday’s protests. A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the incident.
The BBC said it had verified two video recordings of the incident, which showed a group of young people chasing the police officer. After the officer fell to the ground, he was repeatedly punched and kicked in the head.
According to France’s Education Ministry, at least 65 ministry employees have been injured nationwide during the ongoing protests.
In the Paris suburb of Pantin, police moved to disperse protesters after various objects were thrown at officers, resulting in several arrests. In Strasbourg, police used tear gas to clear demonstrators from the area. Bins were also set on fire in Rennes and Paris.
Lola, a 16-year-old participant in the protests, told AFP that her school had been closed on Friday morning. She accused police of contributing to the escalation of the situation.
According to Lola, students’ anger intensified after police allegedly attacked protesters and used tear gas during the demonstrations.