Hundreds of thousands join student protests across France; police use tear gas

Hundreds of thousands took to the streets across France on Tuesday to continue student protests. Source: Olivier Chassignole/AFP/dpa

Student protests in France reached a new scale on Tuesday, with unions joining the demonstrations for the first time. Police deployed tear gas and water cannons amid clashes.

Turnout and Participation

Hundreds of thousands of people participated in the ongoing student protests on Tuesday. Several trade unions and opposition parties had called for the actions for the first time.

• Union figures: 450,000 demonstrators nationwide, including 100,000 in Paris
• Interior Ministry figures: 256,000 participants nationwide and 56,000 in the capital

School and University Blockades

Numerous high schools and universities faced blockades:

• USL High School Union: 1,800 high schools were blocked or preemptively closed by midday
• Education Ministry: Classes were fully or partially cancelled at 891 high schools
• Universities: 90% were reported as blocked

Clashes and Police Response

Protest marches formed in Paris and other major cities:

• Lyon: Young demonstrators and security forces engaged in violent clashes, with firecrackers thrown and barricades set alight
• Rennes: Police deployed water cannons
• Paris: Police reported approximately 300 "hostile individuals" attempting to attack security forces

Police mobilized a large contingent, using tear gas and water cannons in several cities. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez defended the use of grenades and rubber bullets during riots as "proportionate" in an interview with France Inter, stating there was no question of police repression.

Injuries and Arrests

Since the protests began in mid-September, authorities report:

• Over 1,000 people injured, including:
• 215 students
• 700 security personnel
• Approximately 100 school staff
• Approximately 6,000 arrests, primarily minors

The police oversight authority is already investigating ten incidents in which young people were seriously injured:

• Monday: A 15-year-old lost a hand in the explosion of a police grenade
• Previously: Another teenager reportedly lost an eye from a rubber bullet; a third had teeth damaged or knocked out by a tear gas grenade

Police Misconduct Investigation

In Metz, a police officer was arrested for alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl during her arrest. A video showed the officer holding a young girl on the ground while touching her chest. An internal police investigation has been launched.

Parental Support

At several locations, parents supported the young protesters by forming human chains or, as in Rennes, sitting on the ground between security forces and demonstrators.

Student Demands

Students are demonstrating for:

• Better learning conditions
• Greater equality of opportunity
• More teachers
• Smaller class sizes
• Shorter school days
• Better school equipment

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that time would be set aside for discussion rounds on these demands at all upper secondary schools in the coming days.

Protest Messages

Signs carried by demonstrators included:

• "One teacher – 35 students. One student – 5 police officers"
• "Who protects us from the police?"
• "The climate is changing – why not you?"
• "We are the future – so listen to us"

Public Opinion

A survey published on Tuesday found:

• 78% of 18- to 28-year-olds believe the government is poorly preparing their generation's future
• Only about a quarter expressed confidence in the country's future
• 84% expect to have greater difficulty finding secure employment than previous generations

dpa/eck