France Prepares for New Wave of Student Protests Over School Conditions
France braces for nationwide student protests over poor school conditions, with violence and arrests rising as demonstrations grow.
POLICY WIRE — Paris, France — France is preparing for a fresh wave of nationwide student demonstrations, as tensions continue to rise over deteriorating classroom conditions and police clashes.
The protests, supported by unions and the far-left party France Unbowed, include a march in Paris starting at noon GMT, alongside similar actions in other cities. This comes after last week’s demonstrations saw over 70,000 participants and more than 500 arrests.
Despite authorities hoping the movement would ease before half-term holidays, students have continued blocking school entrances with obstacles and clashing with police. While only 130 of France’s 3,700 high schools were closed on Monday, officials noted that while closures are decreasing, violence is increasing. A separate incident in Marseille saw a 14-year-old arrested after a school staff member was shot with a hunting rifle.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
