More than 400 detained as France student protests escalate

More than 400 individuals, mostly minors, were detained in France on Tuesday over student protests at high schools nationwide, the French interior minister stated.

Key points

• On Monday, France's Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu cautioned any escalation in the student protests would be "irresponsible" after the arrest of 164 individuals.
• Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez informed BFMTV 440 residents were detained, adding: "We don't have the final tally yet, but I'm told two thirds led to police custody."
• Nuñez remarked these protests, with at least 200, 000 participants noted, mostly went without incident.
• Taking to X, French Education Minister Édouard Geffray remarked students have the right to protest, but condemned reports of violence as "indefensible".
• As well as 48 law enforcement office-holders, were injured during Tuesday's protests, authorities remarked, at least 10 teachers and a number of students.

In practice, the demonstrations, which began in Paris and have seen teenagers blockade their schools for days, stem from problems including overcrowded classes and teacher shortages.

As well as 48 law enforcement office-holders, were injured during Tuesday's protests, authorities remarked, at least 10 teachers and a number of students. According to the education ministry, at least 400 schools were affected.

Pictures and videos appeared to show bins being set alight and bus stops damaged by protesters.

"We're here to deliver a message, " one 16-year-old female student informed the AFP news agency. "We're not here to smash everything up for no reason. We're here precisely to say that the education system is completely broken. There are 34 of us in each class, and it's just not feasible. In practice, the teachers are overworked."

French media documented that protesters hurled projectiles at police. This person responded with batons and tear gas.

Speaking to AFP, Ryad Rani, president of Union Syndicale Lycéenne. It represents students, accused the French administration of "repression" and police of using excessive force.

When pressed on the police response to the protests. It has been criticised by a number of French politicians, Nuñez stated it had been "carried out in an extremely proportionate manner".

Writing on social media on Tuesday evening, education minister Geffray remarked: The right to demonstrate is a fundamental freedom that cannot serve as an excuse for such actions.

"To legitimise them or, in this context, to call for extending the blockades is to endanger our students as well as public employees. It is irresponsible."

In practice, the movement at French lycées, equivalent to sixth form in the UK or high school in the US, began last week in the Île-de-France region around Paris.

Lecornu cited documented incidents at protests in a post on X, saying: "Fireworks, fires, violence near high schools: nothing justifies endangering students, staff, or police officers."

For context, the continuing student demonstrations on Tuesday coincided with nationwide walkouts by unions representing teachers, hospital staff and civil servants to protest against problems including low wages and working conditions.

Taken together, the developments around more than 400 detained as France student protests escalate point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.