France braces for national day of school protests after injuries and mass arrests

After organisers pressed a nationwide day of action in backing of students demanding more investment in education, france is braced for major protests on Tuesday.

Key points

• While 1, 802 residents are facing prosecution, including 319 adults and 1, 483 minors, fourteen individuals have reportedly been placed in pre-trial detention.
• Among the 5, 060 individuals arrested since the start of the movement, 87% were minors and 13% were adults, according to France's justice ministry, external.
• It saw students blockading hundreds of schools, at least 190 students injured, and more than 5, 000 individuals arrested.
• Last week, Eden, 14, was badly hurt in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône after reportedly being struck on the head by a tear gas grenade.
• The leader of the hard-right National Rally, Marine Le Pen, has additionally criticised the left for its response.

It comes after a week of demonstrations. It saw students blockading hundreds of schools, at least 190 students injured, and more than 5, 000 individuals arrested.

While another was reportedly struck in the head by a tear gas grenade last week, one student had his hand blown off during a confrontation on Monday.

France's prime minister remarked the administration had confirmed measures to address their demands, but the Union Syndicale Lycéenne (USL), a major organiser of the protests, remarked the administration had offered "nothing concrete".

Meanwhile, the organisation called on individuals to join their mobilisation on Tuesday in the face of "this political deadlock and what we describe as unprecedented repression of the movement".

Some other organisations have additionally shown their backing for the students, with the teachers' union SNES-FSU urging its members to join Tuesday's protest.

In practice, the radical-left La France Insoumise (LFI) party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon described the protests as the "most powerful high school and university student youth movement" since 1968 – a year of major unrest. It saw millions of workers go on strike.

For context, the wave of demonstrations began in September in Paris and has spread nationwide, with students protesting over a range of problems, including overcrowded classrooms, run-down buildings, and a lack of teachers.

Meanwhile, the protests were began by high school students. This person were afterwards joined by university students.

On Sunday, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed a series of measures to "address the difficulties faced by secondary school students and education staff", promising "visible changes" in schools.

Nevertheless, he additionally noted: "We will produce no concessions to violence. As well as police officers and gendarmes who have been injured.", we stand by students and staff who have been assaulted.

For context, the unrest has not only seen schools blockaded, but additionally rubbish bins set on fire. Education Minister Édouard Geffray remarked 24 schools had been "burned and ransacked" since the start of the protests.

Violent clashes between students and the police have led to some serious injuries throughout the course of the protests so far.

On Monday, a 15-year-old boy's hand was blown off during a confrontation near a school in the northern city of Lens. The student was transferred to a nearby hospital and his injury is not life-threatening, according to authorities.

Meanwhile, the student suffered "a double jaw fracture" and had to undergo "extremely major surgery", according to his lawyer.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Eden's mother remarked her heart was "shattered".

"It's shameful, it's appalling, it's violent, it's horrific, " French media outlet BFMTV documented her as saying.

"This should not happen. They are dealing with children who are asking for better conditions in which to study."

Meanwhile, the USL has accused police of using excessive force against the protesters. Responding to this allegation last week, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez remarked the demonstrations had been policed in "an extremely proportionate manner".

While France's next presidential election is still months away, the protests and the response by French authorities have been heavily politicised.

For context, the administration and hard-right politicians have blamed the hard left for fuelling the protests. Lecornu remarked LFI was being "irresponsible" in calling for the movement to expand.

For context, the leader of the hard-right National Rally, Marine Le Pen, has additionally criticised the left for its response.

"This is no longer regarding high school student protests. It is regarding riots organised by professionals and overseen by deputies from La France Insoumise, " she stated, calling for a new anti-rioting law to be passed.

Meanwhile Mélenchon, the LFI's party's presidential candidate, has been blaming the police for "abuses of power", calling on individuals to take to the streets to "protect the youth demonstrations".

In practice, the left-wing mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, condemned the "unacceptable violence" in his city. While young individuals were "legitimately concerned" concerning their future and public services, they must express themselves calmly, he noted.

Taken together, the developments around france braces for national day of school protests after injuries and mass point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.