France Shuts 500 High Schools Through Friday as Student Protests Trigger 6,100 Arrests
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 7
France Shuts 500 High Schools Through Friday as Student Protests Trigger 6,100 Arrests
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 7
Summary
500 high schools across France were closed Wednesday, down from 891 on Tuesday, after the education ministry suspended normal lessons through Friday for dialogue sessions and staff crisis meetings.
The ministry said the move is meant to calm tensions, prevent clashes at school gates and give staff time to reorganize as protests over overcrowding, teacher shortages and poor facilities enter a third week.
6,100 people have been arrested since the unrest began, according to AP, while the Interior Ministry says 715 police officers have been injured and dozens of schools have faced blockades, vandalism or arson.
The protests began in Paris-area suburbs and spread nationwide, with some analysts arguing far-left and Islamist groups have widened school grievances into a broader anti-government confrontation ahead of spring elections.