France student protests over school funding lead to over 6,600 arrests
Over a quarter of a million people have taken to the streets across France in a ten-day wave of protests against underfunded schools, teacher shortages, and deteriorating classrooms. The demonstrations, which have led to more than 6,000 arrests and violent clashes with riot police, come amidst a climate of public discontent over high living costs, just six months before a crucial presidential election.
Student Protests Bring Thousands to Place de la Bastille
In the capital, an estimated 25,000 demonstrators thronged the Place de la Bastille. Some protesters climbed the central monument commemorating the 1830 July revolution, waving tricolour flags and singing the Marseillaise. The mass gathering at the Place de la Bastille started off peacefully before clashes erupted.
As evening fell, riot police deployed tear gas, crowd-dispersal rounds, and baton charges to clear the square. Protesters responded by hurling bottles and paving stones at law enforcement squads. In Rennes riot officers used water cannon to disperse protesters. Authorities reported an increase in cases of urban violence on the margins of peaceful student demonstrations, acting as a stain on their legitimate expression, with police making more than 6,600 arrests since late September according to the Interior Ministry. The United Nations human rights office subsequently stated that it was following the high school blockades and incidents of police policing with concern, calling for peaceful assembly and a halt to any disproportionate use of force.
Students Demand Education Investment as Government Offers Funding Increases
Sabrine Kharbach, representing a student association, stated that the movement would persist until €10bn is invested in the education system. Ryad Rani, the president of one high school students’ union, stated that protesters had heard no concrete measures whatsoever and no response to demands, vowing that the movement would continue.
Economy Minister Roland Lescure stated this week that room exists to address school resource demands within the 2027 budget. In the current draft legislation, schools receive the second-largest funding increase after defense, featuring a 1.4% hike to €90.9bn.
Political Repercussions and the Cost of Living
Politicians from across the political spectrum have sought to address the movement. Meanwhile, far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen called for parents to foot repair bills for damaged schools. Caroit also stated that she has seen disturbing and heartbreaking images from the rioting, and speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, she stated that the government is investigating all the actions and the claims.
Student and professional union coalitions have called for another day of protests and strikes on 13 October, followed by a major mobilization on 17 October.