Demonstrationen: Mehr als 5.000 Festnahmen bei Schülerprotesten in Frankreich

Since Monday, more than 5,000 people have been arrested during student protests in France, according to Interior Minister Laurent Núñez. On Friday, 1,747 people were detained, and on Thursday, that number rose to 1,954. Around 85% of those arrested were minors, mostly students, Núñez explained. However, this does not necessarily mean the youths attended the schools where they were apprehended.

The minister added that 735 schools were affected by the protests on Friday, 30% fewer than the previous day. In the vicinity of 158 facilities, there were incidents of unrest. Minister Núñez attributed the scale of the protests to social media and the influence of the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI). He described the protests as significant and surprising, attributing their size to political mobilization.

While the violence was blamed on those responsible, the minister emphasized that the authorities successfully prevented it. The protests caused controversy, particularly after a video surfaced showing a police officer being knocked to the ground and kicked. Student representatives distanced themselves from violence but called for the protests to continue.

However, there was also criticism of the security forces. Despite the government's assurance that police and gendarmes were proceeding cautiously, others accused them of excessive force.