Police ban protests near some Paris schools and universities

Paris authorities have prohibited unauthorized protests within 100 meters of 10 high schools and five universities in the city, as part of a blockade movement that has persisted for two months. The ban, issued by Paris police chief Patrice Faure on Sunday, restricts gatherings or marches from Monday to Friday. High school students initiated the blockade in mid-September, citing substandard classroom conditions, while university students joined, leading to demonstrations across France and contributing to other union protests about inflation and living costs.

The police ban targets 10 out of approximately 150 secondary schools in the French capital and includes universities, such as those at the Sorbonne. Faure explained that the ban was necessary due to numerous disruptions and blockades around specific high schools and higher education institutions in Paris and the surrounding region, as part of a widespread social movement characterized by violence.

Since the beginning of the protests, 1,548 arrests have been made, and several public buildings have been vandalized. Faure noted that the high school and university blockades were predominantly carried out by a minority of students who obstruct others from receiving education.