Student Protests Across France Meet with police Repression, Sparking Outcry from Educators
Paris, September 18, 2025 – A wave of student and high school protests sweeping across France, fueled by concerns over austerity measures in education and the rise of far-right ideologies, has been met with forceful police intervention, drawing condemnation from national education unions.The protests, which gained momentum following demonstrations on September 10th, saw dozens of high schools and universities blockaded in cities including Albi, Annecy, Brest, Grenoble, Lyon, Marseille, Mulhouse, Saint Etienne, Toulon, and Toulouse.
The unrest stems from a perceived lack of possibility for students, highlighted by the fact that over 100,000 applicants were left without placement in higher education following the initial phase of the Parcoursup admissions process. Demonstrators have voiced opposition to current economic, social, and environmental policies and expressed concerns about the growing influence of extremist viewpoints.
Though, the government’s response has escalated tensions. Reports indicate a crackdown on protestors, with especially concerning incidents in Paris and Tours. In Paris, one high school student was held in police custody for over 30 hours before being brought before a judge. In Tours, on September 11th, students peacefully protesting outside the Louis Courier high school were reportedly charged by police, resulting in students being struck with batons, physically assaulted, and exposed to tear gas.
Witnesses, including staff and representatives from the FNEC FP-FO, SNES-FSU, CGT Educ’Action, and Sud Education unions, and also the FCPE of Indre-et-Loire, have corroborated accounts of the excessive force used against the students.
In a joint statement released today,the FSU,FNEC FP-FO,CGT Educ’Action,and Sud Education unions expressed “indignation” at the ”brutal repression measures against young people who exercise their freedom of opinion and expression and mobilize to defend their rights and their future.”
The unions unequivocally “condemn any desire to criminalize the expression of claims,and also all the violence committed against high school students and students” and pledged to actively oppose “any attempt at administrative,judicial and police repression (sanctions or prosecution) against high school students,high school students and/or students.”
they are now calling on educators to support students’ right to protest, particularly during the planned strike and demonstration day on September 18th, while upholding the independence of the student movement.
This situation underscores growing anxieties within France’s education system and raises questions about the government’s approach to student activism and freedom of expression.
