5 days ago
France Closes Hundreds of Schools as Student Protests Intensify
Students in France are protesting because they say their schools have poor facilities, crowded classes, and not enough teachers.
Hundreds of high schools were closed or blocked.
The report says thousands of people were arrested, many of them under 18, and some teachers were hurt.
Some protests also involved fires, damage, and clashes with police.
In Lens, a teenager lost a hand after a stun grenade exploded when he picked it up.
A human rights group said police used too much force, while unions called for more protests.
The protests were expected to continue.
Between 400 and 500 high schools remained shut amid protests over school conditions.
More than 5,000 people had been arrested; 85% were reported to be minors.
The report said 78 teaching staff members were injured and 24 schools were burned or ransacked.
In Lens, a teenager lost a hand after a police stun grenade detonated when he picked it up.
Student unions called for further demonstrations and school blockades, while a human rights group accused security forces of disproportionate force.
- Who
- High school and university students, police, teachers, and student and teacher unions.
- What
- Protests over school conditions led to school closures and blockades, arrests, injuries, property damage, and clashes.
- Where
- Across France, including Paris, Lille, Lens, Bordeaux, and Marseille.
- When
- The report describes ongoing protests and says further demonstrations were planned for Tuesday; no date is specified.
- Why
- Students were protesting poor school infrastructure and sanitary conditions, large classes, and absent teachers.
Protesters and Rights Group
Police and Authorities
Use of force
Protesters and Rights Group
A human rights group accused security forces of using disproportionate force against protesters, many of whom were minors.
Police and Authorities
The report describes clashes in which protesters threw projectiles and police used tear gas; it does not include a direct police response to the accusation.
School protests
Protesters and Rights Group
Students and unions said school conditions warranted protests and called for further demonstrations and blockades.
Police and Authorities
The report says 24 schools were burned or ransacked, according to the education minister, and describes damage and fires during protests.
Key facts
- High schools shut
- 400 to 500
- Arrests
- More than 5,000; 85% were reported to be minors
- Teaching staff injured
- 78
- Schools burned or ransacked
- 24, according to France's education minister
- Teenager injured
- A teenager in Lens lost a hand after a police stun grenade detonated when he picked it up
- Planned action
- Student unions called for demonstrations and further blockades on Tuesday
Sources
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