Policing of France’s School Protests Clouds Macron’s Final Months and Sparks Uproar
PARIS (AP) — On one side, legions of determined teenagers protesting for their future by blockading schools and taking part in marches that have sometimes spiraled into violence.
France’s school protests have become a focal point for unrest, casting a shadow over President Emmanuel Macron's final months in office. These demonstrations, largely led by teenagers, have resulted in mass arrests and numerous injuries, sparking widespread outrage. The government, employing one of Europe's largest internal security forces, has faced intense criticism for its handling of the protests.
The majority of the 8,000 individuals arrested are under 18, and police are accused of using riot-control weapons like smoke and tear gas, which have caused life-altering injuries to some young protesters. Meanwhile, the government claims that over 900 officers and more than 150 school staff members have been injured during the unrest.
Protesters demand better-resourced schools, particularly in disadvantaged areas, and their grievances resonate with a population grappling with record poverty and public debt. However, police argue that they are facing violent rioters who use the demonstrations to target officers and cause destruction through fires, vandalism, and projectiles.
With France's history of revolutionary fervor, the protests have taken on confrontational tones, with some demonstrators donning masks and black attire, eager to challenge the authorities. Police use a range of non-lethal weapons, including grenades, tear gas, and water cannons, to manage the crowds. However, critics question the readiness and resourcing of police to handle such violent demonstrations effectively.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez acknowledged the extensive use of crowd-control weapons, totaling at least 18,000 instances, primarily smoke and tear gas, but also projectiles and grenades. The minister emphasized that such equipment is deployed proportionately to maintain control when necessary. However, allegations of police misconduct have mounted, with 36 investigations into alleged misconduct underway, including cases of significant injuries and aggravated violence.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
