Brief
France sees tens of thousands protest school funding amid violent clashes
Protests involving students and unions spread to dozens of cities, prompting police action and dozens of injuries.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On Oct. 6, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across France, demanding increased education funding, according to Al Jazeera. The Interior Ministry said 86,000 people had joined the protests, while the CGT union claimed 260,000 participants.
Students have blocked entrances to hundreds of high schools since late September, citing staff shortages, overloaded timetables and deteriorating facilities. While many actions remained peaceful, some protesters started fires, destroyed bus shelters and clashed with riot police in cities such as Lyon, Nantes and Rennes.
Police responded with batons, tear gas and water cannons. The government reported 215 student injuries and 715 police injuries since the movement began, including a 15‑year‑old who lost a hand to a stun grenade in Lens. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said ten internal investigations have been opened into alleged police brutality.
More than 5,000 people, 87% of them minors, have been arrested, and 24 schools have been burned or ransacked, according to the Ministry of Education.
Key facts
- The Interior Ministry estimated 86,000 demonstrators on Oct. 6 (aljazeera.com)
- The CGT union claimed 260,000 participants (aljazeera.com)
- 215 students and 715 police officers have been injured since the protests began (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Photos: School blockades, street protests grip France”
