France: School protests escalate, 625 arrested and 83 police officers injured

PARIS, September 30 /ATSH-DPA/ – Protests and unrest in French schools have escalated and become more violent.

During the day 625 people were arrested, French Interior Minister Laurent Núñez said today in Paris.

“In total, 83 police officers and 32 teachers and pupils have been injured,” the minister said.

According to him, the protests have affected 356 schools.

Violence has increased significantly. Damage and destruction of premises, as well as deliberate fires, have been reported in some schools. Teachers’ cars have also been burned.

The protests began on Friday in secondary schools in the area around Paris and then spread further.

Pupils and protesters oppose the lack of resources and funds for schools, the lack of teachers and the dilapidated state of school buildings.

French President Emmanuel Macron said young people’s concerns are justified, but stressed that this cannot in any way justify violence or attacks on police officers, teachers and journalists reporting on the protests.

Asked about the possibility of violence exercised by police during the protests, Macron said police officers must respect their professional duties and rules and that any violation must be investigated and punished.

However, he added that, in his view, the violence comes mainly from people who pushed and kicked teachers.