Clashes Erupt Between Police and Student Protesters in Paris
World
Protests by French high school students over problems in education have been accompanied by unrest. Clashes broke out at Place de la Bastille in Paris. Police used water cannon and tear gas, while some demonstrators threw objects at officers.
France’s Interior Ministry said 71,500 people joined demonstrations nationwide on Thursday, including 24,500 in Paris. Authorities arrested 504 people in connection with unrest, and 48 police officers and gendarmes were injured. Another 55,000 people took part in actions outside educational institutions, though not all joined marches. The ministry reported an increase in street violence alongside peaceful protests.
Several thousand people gathered at Place de la Bastille. Le Monde reported that members of the radical “black bloc” were among them. As tensions rose, some protesters threw street furniture and other objects at police; pieces of pipe were reportedly thrown from a rooftop. Officers used water cannon, tear gas and stun grenades to push demonstrators out of the square’s centre.
The protests have continued for a second week. High school students are protesting overloaded timetables, teacher shortages and other education problems. University students, teachers and parents have also joined. Earlier reports said more than 6,600 people had been detained since the movement began, most of them minors.
Unrest was reported in other cities too. A police car was set on fire in Strasbourg, a police building was damaged in La Rochelle, and an attempt was made to burn a police station in Bordeaux. A high school there was ransacked, around ten computers were stolen and a paper storage facility was set alight. Damage was estimated at several hundred thousand euros. In Marseille, a deputy school principal was beaten; in Toulouse, a high school principal was assaulted. In Saint-Chamond, a deputy principal suffered facial burns from a pyrotechnic device.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the government would present measures addressing students’ complaints by the end of October.
Several thousand people gathered at Place de la Bastille. Le Monde reported that members of the radical “black bloc” were among them. As tensions rose, some protesters threw street furniture and other objects at police; pieces of pipe were reportedly thrown from a rooftop. Officers used water cannon, tear gas and stun grenades to push demonstrators out of the square’s centre.
The protests have continued for a second week. High school students are protesting overloaded timetables, teacher shortages and other education problems. University students, teachers and parents have also joined. Earlier reports said more than 6,600 people had been detained since the movement began, most of them minors.
Unrest was reported in other cities too. A police car was set on fire in Strasbourg, a police building was damaged in La Rochelle, and an attempt was made to burn a police station in Bordeaux. A high school there was ransacked, around ten computers were stolen and a paper storage facility was set alight. Damage was estimated at several hundred thousand euros. In Marseille, a deputy school principal was beaten; in Toulouse, a high school principal was assaulted. In Saint-Chamond, a deputy principal suffered facial burns from a pyrotechnic device.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the government would present measures addressing students’ complaints by the end of October.
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