Photos Show Scenes of Unrest as French Student Protest Goes Nationwide

More than 250,000 individuals took to the streets across France on Tuesday, as teachers, parents, and union activists joined students in a nationwide protest against a poorly-funded high school system. French police deployed tear gas in Paris and Marseille, while using water cannons in Rennes, as tensions escalated. Footage showed clashes between authorities and protesters, with some demonstrators setting fires and throwing objects while others held signs calling for attention to issues like staff shortages and overcrowded classrooms.

The protests were called for by Union Syndicale Lycéenne (USL) and Union Étudiante (UE), who urged "all trade union and political organizations to support our mobilization which extends beyond the walls of our institutions." Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu informed parliament that the protests represented "the heaviest toll in decades paid by the school system," with at least 215 teenagers and 85 educational staff injured, and over 700 police officers also sustaining injuries.

France's Interior Ministry reported approximately 6,100 arrests since the protests began roughly two weeks ago, calling the violence "unacceptable" and urging against burning down high schools.

A university student from a Parisian suburb, Joanna, expressed frustration with the police response, stating that students were throwing objects and setting fires, but insisted that if they don't do that, they are not heard. The incident of a 15-year-old's hand being blown off during an altercation with riot police in Northern France was also reported, and the General Inspectorate of the National Police is investigating the matter.

The Education Ministry announced the closure of at least 900 high schools on Tuesday, while the USL claimed around 2,000 schools had shut down.

Facing mounting pressure to quell the protests, the French Education Ministry launched a national consultation for students on Monday. The online portal remains open until October 23, aiming to create a safe space for young people to express their concerns about France's lycée system, the final three years of high school education.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray emphasized the importance of hearing from all high school students and taking into account the diversity of their educational experiences. As the momentum behind the protest movement shows no signs of waning, images of widespread demonstrations are shown below.