France Protests Escalate As Nearly 400 Schools Shut, Students Clash With Police

Protests by high school students in France escalated on Friday, with nearly 400 educational establishments expected to remain shut, as demonstrators blocked entrances, clashed with police and, in some instances, set fires. The unrest has resulted in 1949 arrests and 305 injured officers in a single day. In Marseille, rioters forced firefighters from a truck before setting it ablaze. Over 2,000 individuals have been taken into police custody since the protests commenced, with 90% of them being minors.

The student-led movement, initially sparked by teacher shortages, long school hours, and poor infrastructure in the Paris region last month, has since spread nationwide. Authorities have characterized the unrest as "urban violence."

The government has accused a "violent minority" of targeting buses and schools, questioning whether all participants were students. Education Minister Edouard Geffray reported that nearly 400 of France's 3,700 high schools were expected to stay closed on Friday, with at least 65 staff members, including 40 school principals, suffering injuries, and around 170 students wounded. More than 100 schools also experienced significant damage.

In Paris, firefighters battled flames that ignited the entrances of two high schools. Police resorted to tear gas at a high school in Brest, while clashes were reported in various locations. Students have accused law enforcement of employing excessive force, including the use of tear gas. The protests have taken on a political undertone as the election year approaches, with the government blaming the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party for supporting the movement, a claim the LFI vehemently denies.