'Islam wanting to take over': Donald Trump reacts to France school protests

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump commented on the escalating student protests in France, attributing the demonstrations to "mass migration" and accusing Islam of attempting to dominate the nation. "What's happening in France is nothing less than out of control mass migration. This isn't about schools, this is about Islam wanting to take over a once great Country!" Trump declared on social media platform Truth Social.

The unrest, which commenced at a high school in the Paris region in mid-September, has expanded nationwide. As of Tuesday, over 266,000 individuals participated in the demonstrations, with 56,000 gathering in Paris, according to the Interior Ministry. The protest movement originated from demands for increased educational funding.

Law enforcement officials resorted to the use of tear gas and engaged in confrontations with isolated groups of protesters in Paris following a largely peaceful march. Approximately 500 individuals were apprehended during the demonstrations, the ministry reported.

The protests have persisted for more than two weeks, with students blocking schools and skipping classes. Police have made over 6,500 arrests, predominantly of minors, officials stated. The application of tear gas, batons, and other riot-control measures against teenagers has drawn criticism from students, parents, and educators. Some student organizations have called for additional protests on Thursday.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez justified the police response, claiming it had been appropriate in "almost all cases" and that officers had intervened when protests turned violent. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu urged the government and school authorities to listen to students and address their concerns. Lecornu also condemned "ultra violence" around schools and dismissed claims of racism in the police response as "lies."

The protests have emerged as a prominent issue in France's presidential election campaign, reflecting broader discontent over public spending, poverty, and wealth inequality. The recent surge in fuel prices, attributed to the Iran conflict, has further exacerbated public frustration.

Felix Barney, a university student, labeled the police response as disproportionate, questioning the justification for targeting minors. The latest tensions are compounded by a recent incident where a 15-year-old boy lost a hand during an encounter with a police stun grenade on Monday. Nuñez disclosed that 715 police officers sustained injuries during the unrest.