France is preparing for a national day of protests and school blockades as a youth-led movement continues to expand, raising concerns about the intensity of police responses to demonstrations. The unrest centers on complaints regarding deteriorating school infrastructure and inadequate staffing levels in the education system.
Two separate incidents have drawn attention to potential police violence during the demonstrations. A 15-year-old sustained a severe hand injury outside a high school in Lens while participating in a protest where approximately 150 to 200 demonstrators were reported to have thrown objects at police officers. The circumstances surrounding the injury remain unclear, with authorities uncertain whether a stun grenade or other means caused the wound. Additionally, a 16-year-old student in Tours filed a complaint regarding injuries to his right eye last week, with prosecutors indicating the wound was consistent with impact from a police rubber bullet.
The French prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has sought to address grievances by declaring students’ complaints “legitimate” and committing the government to respond to five primary demands. These include arranging replacement teachers for absent staff members, reforming school schedules, and repairing deteriorated buildings. Ministers have been instructed to develop proposals addressing these issues by the end of the month.
Trade union leadership has expressed skepticism about the government’s response, noting that teacher absences have doubled over a decade while class sizes have reached record levels. Student unions have organized a national day of protest for later this week, with expectations that thousands of trade unionists, teachers, public sector workers, and parents’ groups will participate in marches nationwide. University students have also joined in solidarity, with approximately 40 university buildings blockaded across the country.
Since the protests began in late September at a Paris suburban high school, approximately 5,000 people, predominantly teenagers, have been arrested nationwide, with dozens injured. Property damage has been estimated in the tens of millions of euros. Government officials have indicated that restoring order remains their priority amid the ongoing demonstrations.
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