Police fired tear gas and deployed water cannons across France on Tuesday as over a quarter of a million people rallied nationwide to support student-led demands for increased education funding. The demonstrations have intensified pressure on the administration of outgoing President Emmanuel Macron during the early stages of a presidential election campaign. What began as a localized high school protest in the Paris region in mid-September has expanded into a massive national movement marked by school blockades and class boycotts. Government figures estimate that 256,000 individuals participated in Tuesday’s rallies, including 56,000 in Paris, where peaceful marches encountered clashes with riot officers. The widespread use of arrests, tear gas, and riot-control weapons against teenagers has triggered sharp criticism from parents, teachers, and opposition lawmakers. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez defended the police response, asserting it was proportionate in almost all cases and noting that 715 officers had been injured. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu emphasized that the government must listen to students while simultaneously condemning “ultra violence” that threatens educational institutions. More than two weeks of unrest have led to over 6,100 arrests, predominantly involving minors, and have drawn attention to severe injuries, including a 15-year-old boy who lost his hand after an incident involving a police stun grenade. Protesters and supporters argue that severe funding shortfalls have left classrooms rundown, poorly equipped, and plagued by staff shortages, directly endangering students’ futures. Frustrations over education intersect with broader public discontent regarding soaring fuel prices, constrained public spending, and wealth inequality under Macron, who is barred from seeking a third consecutive term. In response to the growing movement, the Education Ministry launched an online portal for students to voice their concerns anonymously, while authorities have partially or totally suspended classes at 891 schools to curb property damage and mounting injuries. Student leaders have vowed to continue their demonstrations until concrete solutions are implemented, highlighting that addressing youth concerns remains a critical political priority for the country’s future.
Source: npr.org
