Paris Students Block Louvre Entrance, Forcing Closure

A group of students from the École du Louvre, an arts institution within the Louvre Palace in Paris, started blocking the museum's main entrance on October 19, 2022. This action followed a nationwide protest that had been ongoing for a month, highlighting the issues of overcrowded and underresourced education in France. The students, who operate independently of the grande école located on the museum grounds, expressed their discontent by playing music, displaying protest art, and distributing leaflets that read, "We are proud to announce that we are blocking the world's largest museum."

French Democratic Confederation of Labour union members confirmed that National School of Fine Arts students were also involved in the demonstration.

The museum remained closed, and it was uncertain whether it would reopen the following day. The Louvre had not responded to requests for comment. The protest originated from a single, underdeveloped high school outside Paris, initially complaining about inadequate infrastructure, long hours, staff reductions, and other challenges faced by the French education system.

However, the movement quickly expanded into nationwide strikes, with demonstrators facing violent clashes with police and tear gas being used against them. Police reportedly deployed tear gas and water cannons on protesters, while others were beaten with batons, according to the BBC.

The French government has not disclosed the exact number of injured protesters, but the Interior Ministry reported that around 2,400 people were arrested, and approximately 1,000 police officers and firefighters sustained injuries. The leaflets distributed during the protest emphasized the French students' and workers' fight against the government's anti-public-services policies.

The message conveyed was clear: "We thank you for your interest in French culture, and for standing with our fight to study, to work, and to live freely in good conditions."