France Student Protests Escalate as 86,000 Demonstrate, Teen’s Grenade Injury Fuels Anger
France's nationwide high-school protests intensified on Tuesday as about 86,000 people demonstrated outside Paris, while students again blockaded schools across the country. The latest demonstrations come one day after a 15-year-old student lost his hand in a grenade explosion during clashes with riot police in Lens.
86,000 people demonstrate outside Paris
France's Interior Ministry estimated that around 86,000 people joined demonstrations outside Paris on Tuesday morning, with a larger rally expected in the capital later in the day. Protests were also reported in cities including Marseille, Strasbourg, Lyon and Nantes.
The demonstrations are continuing despite the government's efforts to address students' concerns and restore order.
1,800 schools affected
The High School Students Union said around 1,800 high schools were blocked or scheduled to close on Tuesday. Some education authorities have moved classes online because of the disruption.
The latest protests are being driven by complaints over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school buildings.
Teen's injury becomes major focus
The injury to the 15-year-old in Lens has become a major point of contention during the latest protests.
According to local reporting cited by Reuters, the teenager lost his hand and part of his lower arm after picking up a police dispersal grenade that exploded. The Pas-de-Calais prefect confirmed that an investigation had been opened but declined to comment on the exact circumstances of the incident.
The teenager remains hospitalized and was reported to be out of danger.
Government reports thousands of arrests
The Justice Ministry said more than 6,100 people have been arrested since the protests began, with the overwhelming majority being minors. More than 1,800 people are being prosecuted, including 1,483 minors, according to government figures cited by Reuters.
The government has also reported injuries among both police officers and teenagers during the unrest.
Police tactics under investigation
The latest escalation has intensified scrutiny of police crowd-control tactics. Rights groups have accused police of using excessive force, while authorities have defended the need to respond to violence and attacks on property.
Several investigations into police methods are underway, including cases involving serious injuries to young protesters.
The French government has said its priority is restoring order while also responding to students' concerns.
Protests continue across France
Tuesday's demonstrations represent the biggest nationwide day of action so far in the current wave of high-school protests.
The immediate focus is now on whether the large demonstrations remain peaceful and whether further clashes occur between protesters and police.
With thousands of students still participating and hundreds of schools affected, the government faces growing pressure to address the education demands while preventing further violence.