Over 400 Detained as Student Protests Escalate Across France
On Tuesday, French authorities arrested more than 400 people, mainly minors, amid nationwide student blockades of schools over overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of teachers.
The protests, which began in Paris, have spread to at least 400 schools, with students setting fire to bins and damaging bus stops. Law enforcement responded with batons and tear gas, and at least 48 police officers were injured.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said "two thirds led to police custody," while Education Minister Édouard Geffray condemned the violence as "indefensible" but praised students’ right to protest.
Union leaders have accused the government of repression, calling the police response excessive. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned that any escalation would be "irresponsible," following the arrest of 164 protesters.
The demonstrations coincided with nationwide strikes by teachers, hospital staff and civil servants, with about 200,000 participants reported, though most of those protests proceeded without incident.
