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French Student Protests Intensify Amid Government Struggles

10:14 AM ETConfirmed

World Desk

In Short: French student protests continue, with clashes between police and demonstrators, as the government seeks a resolution.

French student protests have escalated, with thousands of students demonstrating across the country over education standards and school conditions. The BBC (United Kingdom) and Thelocal (France) reported that protests have spread from Paris to other cities like Montpellier, Nantes, and Marseille.

According to the BBC, more than 5,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, with 87% of those being minors. Thelocal noted that 400 lycées were closed due to damage sustained during the protests.

The Standard (United Kingdom) reported that some protesters chanted slogans calling for 'intifada' and 'free Palestine,' leading to five arrests for inciting racial hatred. Meanwhile, Thelocal highlighted that the protests have evolved into violence, including some schools being ransacked.

Both the Standard and Thelocal agreed that the protests have become a national crisis, with demonstrations in 40 cities and significant disruptions to daily life, including traffic and public transportation.

Indybay reported that one large group of several hundred students began their day by attending a rally outside the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, which included a street blockade and sit-in before marching across Paris.

Education Minister Edouard Geffray said the wave of protests had been declining in recent days and the government would launch a platform for students to express their dissatisfaction. However, protesters remain committed, with one 18-year-old telling Reuters, 'We’re going to keep blocking until the government hears us.'

The protests have also drawn international attention. Jpost (Israel) reported that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called an early election for November 29, in part due to protests over housing decrees, mirroring the situation in France.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed regret over an incident where a 15-year-old boy's hand was blown off during a confrontation between police and demonstrators near a school in France, according to a statement on X.

The protests have also led to discussions in the Assembly Nationale about a 'casseurs-payeurs' bill that would allow prosecutors to charge students and adults convicted of property damage up to €10,000 in restitution, even if they are not personally responsible.

Despite the government's efforts to address the protests, the demonstrations continue, with students demanding improvements in educational opportunities and school conditions.

The protests have garnered significant attention from various publications, highlighting the widespread discontent among students and the challenges the French government faces in resolving the crisis.

The accounts agree that the protests have become a national issue, with significant disruptions and a call for better educational conditions, despite the government's attempts to address the concerns.

Background

What's confirmed

• At the same time, students have been protesting against teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating infrastructure, and what they regard as profound inequalities in educational opportunity.
• France Student Protests Continue in Earnest (5,000 Arrested Last Week) Kanako Mita, Sawako Utsumi, and Lee Jay Walker President Emmanuel Macron of France was first elected in 2017.
• The 15-year-old had picked up a police dispersal grenade that detonated in the town of Lens, losing his hand and part of his lower arm, officials said Monday, Reuters reported, as the wave of school protests entered its third week, François-Xavier Lauch, prefect of Pas-de-Calais, said roughly 200 to 250 protesters had been hurling objects at police.
• “As long as they don’t listen to us, we won’t stop this fight.” In total, more than 5,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, with 87% of them being minors.
• Education Minister Edouard Geffray said the wave of protests had been declining in recent days and the government would launch a platform for students to express their dissatisfaction.
• Government officials said the protests have evolved into violence, including some schools being ransacked.
• A teenager had his hand blown off as high school protesters clashed with French police during chaotic riots, as students across the country continue to protest poor conditions and teacher shortages.
• The protests come months ahead of an election to replace outgoing President Emmanuel Macron.
• “We’re going to keep blocking until the government hears us,” Sami Karen, 18, told Reuters while demonstrating outside Charles de Foucauld high school in Paris.

What's still developing

• On Tuesday, the scale of France’s student revolt became even more striking.
• Around 100 pro-Palestine protesters marched from Lincoln’s Inn to Russell Square and chanted “free free Palestine” and “free the people, free the land” in London, with a group at the back of the march holding a banner reading: “Holocaust survivor descendants against Gaza genocide”.
• Last Friday, French authorities said 735 of France's 3,700 schools had been disrupted.
• The announcement comes after Friday’s defeat of two housing decrees drafted in response to protests sparked by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid home.
• The Local Europe AB Västmannagatan 43 113 25 Stockholm Sweden Blockades at French high schools were set to continue on Friday after a day of mounting tension and clashes with police as students staged protests over classroom conditions and a lack of resources.
• The protest follows the removal of rapper Macklemore, after he called for a "Free Palestine" and criticized Israel during an earlier show at MetLife Stadium.
• RELATED: Ed Sheeran tour continues on to Philadelphia as acts withdraw.
• "We need to mobilize and win a much larger progressive majority in parliament, one that will allow us to overcome vested interests, deliver new social advances and continue transforming Spain." The premier also acknowledged having made mistakes and falling short of campaign promises.
• Riot police move in as students set fires and clash with officers during growing unrest.
• The Manipur Government has ordered the deployment of additional security forces to Namdilong in Imphal West district to disperse protesters enforcing an economic blockade along National Highway-2, even as questions continue to be raised over the government’s failure to restore unrestricted movement on National Highways blocked for years in Kangpokpi district.
• Go Ad Lite Home india uttarakhand Kharge 'purification' row: 29 days after protests & political verbal wars, Uttarakhand cops register FIR In Delhi, there was high drama as over two dozen Congress MPs refused to leave Parliament Street Police Station after officials initially refused to register a “Zero FIR” on the issue.
• Shemin Joy Last Updated : 08 September 2026, 15:02 IST Story continues below.

Sources

• Indybaylink
• Moderntokyotimeslink
• Wwbllink
• Standardlink
• BBClink
• Trtworldlink
• Thelocallink
• 6Abclink
• Newsweeklink
• Jpostlink
• Fox Newslink
• Imphaltimeslink
• Deccanheraldlink
• WarpBeat — background on French Bishop Urges Peace Amid Violent Student Protests link
• WarpBeat — background on French School Protests Continue, Shutting Hundreds of Schools link
• Reuters — video link