More than 400 individuals, primarily minors, were detained in France on Tuesday due to student protests at high schools nationwide, according to French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. The protests, which originated in Paris, have involved students blockading their schools for several days, addressing issues such as overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages. At least 10 teachers, several students, and 48 law enforcement officials sustained injuries during the protests on Tuesday, as reported by officials. The French education ministry indicated that at least 400 schools were impacted by the demonstrations.
Images and videos from the protests depicted fires and damage to public property, including bins being set ablaze and bus stops vandalized. A 16-year-old female student expressed to AFP, "We're here to deliver a message. We're not here to smash everything up for no reason. We're here precisely to say that the education system is completely broken. There are 34 of us in each class, and it's just not feasible. The teachers are overworked."
French Education Minister Édouard Geffray acknowledged the students' right to protest but condemned the violence associated with the demonstrations as "indefensible." Nuñez stated that 440 individuals were detained, noting that two-thirds of those detained were placed in police custody. Reports indicated that protesters threw projectiles at police, who responded with batons and tear gas.
Ryad Rani, president of Union Syndicale Lycéenne, which represents students, accused the government of repression and criticized the police for using excessive force. In response to the police actions, Nuñez defended the response as being "carried out in an extremely proportionate manner."
Geffray reiterated on social media that while the right to demonstrate is a fundamental freedom, it should not justify violent actions. He warned that legitimizing such actions could endanger students and public employees. The protests at French lycées, equivalent to sixth form in the UK or high school in the US, began last week in the Île-de-France region surrounding Paris.
On Monday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu cautioned that any escalation in the student protests would be "irresponsible" following the arrest of 164 individuals. He referenced incidents of violence at protests in a post on X, stating, "Fireworks, fires, violence near high schools: nothing justifies endangering students, staff, or police officers."
The ongoing student demonstrations coincided with nationwide walkouts by unions representing teachers, hospital staff, and civil servants protesting against low wages and working conditions. Nuñez reported that these protests, which involved at least 200,000 participants, mostly proceeded without incident.