7 hrs ago
France to Close Hundreds of Schools as Student Protests Spread
Student protests about schools have spread across France.
The protests began at a school in Paris on September 17.
Students say there are not enough teachers, school days are too long, and some buildings are in poor condition.
Up to 500 high schools may close fully or partly on Monday for safety reasons.
Bigger demonstrations have been called for Tuesday.
The education minister says far-left infiltrators have taken over parts of the movement and caused extreme violence.
Amnesty France says police violence has been excessive, while the interior minister says police are protecting students who protest peacefully.
More than 5,000 people have been arrested since the movement began.
A teacher was attacked near a protest in La Ciotat, and youths were filmed beating a police officer in Belfort.
Up to 500 French high schools will be fully or partly closed on Monday ahead of larger demonstrations called for Tuesday.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said security conditions were not met and that 24 schools had been burned or ransacked since the movement began.
The protests began at a Paris school on September 17; students cite teacher shortages, long school days and poor facilities among their grievances.
More than 5,000 people have been arrested since the movement began, 85 percent of them minors; officials also reported 78 education staff injured.
A teacher was assaulted near a La Ciotat protest, while two youths were arrested over a separate attack on a police officer in Belfort.
- Who
- French high school students, government officials, school staff and security forces.
- What
- Student protests have spread across France; up to 500 schools are expected to be fully or partly closed on Monday.
- Where
- France, including Paris, La Ciotat and Belfort.
- When
- The protests began on September 17; closures are planned for Monday, ahead of demonstrations called for Tuesday.
- Why
- Students cite teacher absences, long school days and dilapidated facilities among their grievances; the closures are described by the education minister as a security precaution.
Criticism of police response
Government and security response
Use of force at protests
Criticism of police response
Amnesty France called police violence disproportionate and said young people must be able to express grievances without fear of tear gas, batons or arbitrary custody. Students at a meeting in Saint-Denis described injuries from police weapons.
Government and security response
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said security forces are not cracking down on young people, but protecting students who want to voice demands peacefully.
Character of the movement
Criticism of police response
Organisers called for protests to continue, citing a lack of concrete government measures, and students described concerns about education and their future.
Government and security response
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said far-left infiltrators had hijacked the movement and engaged in extreme violence, creating risks for staff and students.
Key facts
- Schools affected
- Up to 500 high schools expected to be fully or partly closed Monday.
- Planned demonstrations
- Organisers have called for larger demonstrations on Tuesday.
- Protest start
- The movement began at a Paris school on September 17.
- Arrests
- More than 5,000 people arrested since the movement began; 85 percent were minors.
- School damage
- The education minister said 24 schools had been burned or ransacked.
- Staff injuries
- The education minister said 78 education staff members had been injured.
- Incidents
- A 59-year-old teacher was attacked near a protest in La Ciotat; two youths were arrested and investigated over the Belfort police officer assault.
Quotes
Anne Savinel-Barras
President of Amnesty International’s France branch
“Authorities must allow young people to exercise these rights without fear of being hit by tear gas grenades or batons, or being arbitrarily taken into police custody.”
firstpost.com
“Clearly, this poses a risk to both our staff and our students.”
firstpost.com
Campion
A 16-year-old student participating in the protests
“I don't understand why the government deploys so much force against a case that is valid: our education, our future.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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