Student protests in France reach new heights

Nationwide day of action

Student protests in France reach new heights

Pupils, students, parents and unions – the protests for better schools are expanding. Why the Interior Minister defends the use of grenades and rubber bullets.

The protests by young people that have been going on for a week France for better learning conditions in schools have reached new heights on a national day of action. There were blockades at numerous high schools and universities. In Paris Protest marches formed in many large cities and were joined by trade unions for the first time. Teachers and parents also take part in the protests – also to protect their children.

The police mobilized a large contingent and confronted the demonstrators in many cities wearing heavy equipment. She is increasingly exposed to accusations of police violence at the rallies, with many posters denouncing the use of tear gas by young people. “Use tear gas against rapists, not against minors,” said a cardboard sign at the rally Marseilles. The General Inspectorate of Police is investigating operations in which demonstrators were injured by officers.

At midday, the high school union USL spoke of 1,800 high schools blocked or closed as a precautionary measure across France, and 90 percent of universities were blocked. According to the Ministry of Education, classes were completely or partially canceled at 891 high schools. 150,000 to 200,000 demonstrators were expected nationwide, the broadcaster BFMTV reported, citing the Interior Ministry. A protest march in Paris alone, which was scheduled to start in the early afternoon, was expected to draw 20,000 to 40,000 participants.

Also in other major cities such as Lyon, Lille, Marseille, ToulouseBordeaux, Rennes and Strasbourg there should be meetings. Demonstrators and police clashed in advance. Objects and fireworks were thrown at officers, and law enforcement officers used water cannons and tear gas. There is also outrage among many politicians about the police crackdown on the mostly young demonstrators.

In an interview with France Inter broadcaster, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez justified the use of grenades to disperse crowds and rubber bullets during the demonstrations. If there are riots, the use of these weapons is “proportionate”. “You can’t talk about police repression here.”

In the protests that started a week ago in schools in the greater Paris area, students are concerned about problems that they have been complaining about for a long time. Far too many lessons are canceled, there are too few substitute teachers, many school buildings are run down and the learning conditions need to be improved. Especially in disadvantaged neighborhoods, young people feel like second-class citizens and that their concerns are not taken seriously.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called on the ministries on Sunday evening to initiate concrete improvements in the country’s schools and to listen to the legitimate concerns of the students. And Education Minister Édouard Geffray activated an online platform on Monday where students can describe their demands and problems. But young people are not satisfied with that.