France Detains Over 400 in Student Protests

More than 400 people, predominantly minors, were detained across France on Tuesday as student protests intensified at high schools nationwide, according to the French Interior Ministry.

The demonstrations, which began in Paris and have involved teenagers blocking school access for several days, cite issues such as overcrowded classrooms and a lack of teachers. Officials reported at least 10 teachers and several students were injured, along with 48 law enforcement officers.

Images and videos from the protests appeared to show bins being set ablaze and bus stops damaged. A 16-year-old student told AFP news agency, "We're here to deliver a message. We're not here to smash everything up for no reason. We're here precisely to say that the education system is completely broken. There are 34 of us in each class, and it's just not feasible. The teachers are overworked."

French Education Minister Édouard Geffray acknowledged the right to protest but condemned reports of violence as "indefensible." Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that 440 people were detained, with a significant portion expected to be held in police custody. French media reported that protesters hurled projectiles at police, who responded with batons and tear gas.

Ryad Rani, president of the student union Union Syndicale Lycéenne, accused the French government of "repression" and criticized the police response as excessive. Nuñez, however, described the police actions as "carried out in an extremely proportionate manner."

Geffray reiterated on social media that while the right to demonstrate is a fundamental freedom, it cannot justify actions that endanger students or public employees, calling such justifications "irresponsible."

The movement at French high schools, known as lycées, originated last week in the Île-de-France region. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had previously warned on Monday that any escalation would be "irresponsible" following the arrest of 164 people.

Lecornu cited incidents such as the use of fireworks, fires, and violence near schools, stating that "nothing justifies endangering students, staff, or police officers."

The student protests on Tuesday occurred concurrently with nationwide walkouts by unions representing teachers, hospital staff, and civil servants protesting issues including low wages and working conditions. Nuñez reported that these broader public sector protests, which involved at least 200,000 participants, largely proceeded without incident.