More than 400 detained as France student protests escalate

More than 400 people, mostly minors, were detained successful France connected Tuesday implicit pupil protests astatine precocious schools crossed the country, the French interior curate said.

The demonstrations, which began successful Paris and person seen teenagers blockade their schools for days, stem from issues including overcrowded classes and teacher shortages.

At slightest 10 teachers and respective students, arsenic good arsenic 48 instrumentality enforcement officials, were injured during Tuesday's protests, officials said. According to the acquisition ministry, astatine slightest 400 schools were affected.

Pictures and videos appeared to amusement bins being acceptable alight and autobus stops damaged by protesters.

"We're present to present a message," 1 16-year-old pistillate pupil told the AFP quality agency. "We're not present to smash everything up for nary reason. We're present precisely to accidental that the acquisition strategy is wholly broken. There are 34 of america successful each class, and it's conscionable not feasible. The teachers are overworked."

Taking to X, French Education Minister Édouard Geffray said students person the close to protest, but condemned reports of unit arsenic "indefensible".

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told BFMTV 440 radical were detained, adding: "We don't person the last tally yet, but I'm told 2 thirds led to constabulary custody."

French media reported that protesters hurled projectiles astatine police, who responded with batons and teardrop gas.

Speaking to AFP, Ryad Rani, president of Union Syndicale Lycéenne, which represents students, accused the French authorities of "repression" and constabulary of utilizing excessive force.

When pressed connected the constabulary effect to the protests, which has been criticised by respective French politicians, Nuñez said it had been "carried retired successful an highly proportionate manner".

Writing connected societal media connected Tuesday evening, acquisition curate Geffray said: "The close to show is simply a cardinal state that cannot service arsenic an excuse for specified actions.

"To legitimise them or, successful this context, to telephone for extending the blockades is to endanger our students arsenic good arsenic nationalist employees. It is irresponsible."