What began as a nationwide student movement over education funding and poor school conditions has escalated into clashes in the French capital. Students barricaded a high school in northeastern Paris on Thursday, as police fired tear gas as protests showed few signs of easing.The Hélène Boucher high school became the latest flashpoint in the unrest as students used rubbish bins to block its entrance and riot police gathered in nearby streets. The confrontation came as hundreds of high school and university students took to the streets in Paris, with a major demonstration planned from Place de la République towards Place de la Bastille.The latest escalation came after days of disruption across France. More than 6,600 people have been arrested since late September, when mostly under-18 students began protesting over education funding and conditions in schools, according to the Interior Ministry. The Education Ministry said 375 schools were fully or partially closed on Thursday.At least a dozen demonstrations supporting the student movement were also planned across France on Thursday, underlining the widening scale of the protests.Many protesters in Paris wore surgical masks or hoodies, apparently to avoid being identified. As the crowd gathered near Hélène Boucher, police surrounded a nearby square and fired tear gas after protesters surged.
Anger over schools, police response
The protests have been driven by complaints over underfunded schools, ageing facilities and staff shortages. But the movement has also drawn trade unions and political groups, as well as troublemakers whose actions have led to clashes and damage.Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu sought to condemn the violence in a televised address, citing attacks on students and staff, injuries to police officers and gendarmes, and schools being set on fire or vandalized.“We cannot play with the safety of France’s youth,” Lecornu said.He also criticised “political leaders who use this anger to conduct their electoral battles.” France is due to hold a presidential election in April.At Place de la République, smoke from burning rubbish hung in the air as students prepared to march towards Bastille. Protesters carried signs bearing their schools’ names and placards reading “More money for repression than for our education” and “Who protects us from the police?”“We’re here, we’re demonstrating, and we won’t stop. Until October, November, December if necessary. Nothing will stop us,” said Sofia Ferdials, 18, a student at Paris 8 University.
Students say protests will continue
The unrest has raised concerns over both school conditions and the police response. Emma Khelil, an 18-year-old university student who returned to her former high school to support the protesters, said she was worried about police violence.“We’re here to defend our rights, not to lose an eye or a hand,” Khelil said.She said she had seen insulation problems and water leaks at the school and had occasionally seen rats.Khelil also rejected the idea that the government’s response would end the movement.“I don’t think the movement is going to lose momentum. As long as things don’t change, we’re going to see the movement grow stronger, and potentially a convergence of struggles, especially with the next presidential election coming up,” she said.Dounia Gergeon, a 39-year-old school librarian who joined the Bastille demonstration, said young people felt increasingly unsupported.“They do not feel supported,” she said. “They feel cornered and forced to work under these conditions.”
Unrest spreads beyond France
The protests have also inspired student unrest in Belgium and Italy.In Belgium, authorities in Liege banned public gatherings until midnight on October 16 after clashes involving several hundred protesters. Police used water cannon and tear gas on Wednesday, nearly 90 people were arrested and several officers were injured.The Belgian protests include demands for more teachers and smaller classes, as well as opposition to education reforms. Protesters have also referred directly to the events in France.In Italy, students have occupied schools and organised marches in several cities. Activists have invoked the French movement with the slogan “let’s do as they do in France”.In Turin, students occupied several high schools over building conditions, education funding and increased military spending. In Rome, students occupied one school and walked out of another, while students in Naples also protested against a planned migrant detention centre.
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