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[INTERNATIONAL] · France · 100 sources

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France student protests lead to 400 school closures and 2,000 arrests FAST-MOVING

Widespread student protests across France have escalated into significant civil unrest, leading to the closure of approximately 400 high schools. The demonstrations, which began in the Paris region, have spread nationwide to cities including Marseille, Strasbourg, Lyon, and Rennes. Students are demanding improvements to educational conditions, citing overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and excessive study hours.

The unrest has been marked by violence and vandalism, including arson at school entrances and the use of fireworks against law enforcement. Authorities report that approximately 2,000 people have been arrested, with roughly 90% being minors. The human toll includes at least 65 education workers—including 40 school principals—and 170 students injured, alongside over 300 police officers and gendarmes.

In response to the property damage, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has requested that prosecutors hold parents civilly and financially liable for damages caused by their children. The French government has also accused the La France Insoumise (LFI) party of contributing to the radicalization and organization of the protests, a claim the party denies. Many affected schools have transitioned to remote learning to maintain educational continuity amidst the ongoing instability.

Entities

Edouard Geffray · Emmanuel Macron · France · Gérald Darmanin · La France Insoumise · La France Insubmise · La France Insumise · Laurent Nunez · Marine Le Pen · Sébastien Lecornu

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