Chaotic situation from student protests in France: Over 440 arrested and 76 injured in the unrest

The wave of high-school student protests in France is taking on ever more violent dimensions, causing mass unrest and blocking teaching in several of the country’s main cities. The French authorities announced that more than 440 arrests have been made so far, most of those detained being minors. Education Minister Édouard Geoffrey confirmed that since the start of the revolt 76 people have been injured, among them students and members of teaching staff.

The protests, which began in the Paris region, have spread rapidly to Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and Rennes. According to figures from the Union of High-School Students, blockades and protests have affected around 400 of France’s 3,700 high schools in total. The students denounce the degradation of the education system, the marked shortage of teachers, packed timetables and overcrowded classes where the number of pupils reaches up to 34 per class.

In some cities such as Lille and Lyon, fierce clashes with police were recorded. Protesters set fire to rubbish bins, threw hard objects and used hydrochloric acid against police officers, prompting the immediate intervention of security forces with tear gas to disperse the crowds.

For his part, Education Minister Édouard Geoffrey strongly condemned the violence, calling it unacceptable. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez declared that the police intervention was entirely proportionate. Local authorities have begun investigations to clarify the incidents and identify those responsible.