France Arrests 625 in Student Protests as Unrest Hits 350 High Schools
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 1
France Arrests 625 in Student Protests as Unrest Hits 350 High Schools
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 1
Summary
More than 625 people—mostly students—were arrested over two days as protests that began around Paris spread nationwide, prompting Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to convene a crisis meeting and cancel ministers’ trips.
About 350 high schools and 30 university campuses were affected on Thursday alone, with students protesting teacher shortages, crumbling buildings, overcrowded classes, long schedules and recent budget cuts.
At least 83 police and gendarmes were wounded on Thursday, while 119 students and school staff have been injured since last week; police used tear gas in several cities and officials warned of attempted arson and wider urban violence.
Authorities say outside agitators moved from school to school to incite violence, while Education Minister Edouard Geffray urged remote classes where campuses were blocked.
The unrest has become a political flashpoint ahead of France’s presidential election next May, with Macron condemning blockades and critics accusing Jean-Luc Melenchon’s LFI of amplifying the movement.