Paris saw its most intense student protest in years on Thursday, as demonstrators demanding increased funding for schools clashed with riot police on the capital's streets. Tear gas drifted through the air and fireworks were launched at officers, marking a sharp escalation in a movement that has been building for weeks.
The unrest began in the late morning near the Sorbonne, where hundreds of lycée and university students had gathered. Within hours, the crowd swelled to several thousand, and skirmishes broke out as police sought to disperse the demonstrators. At least a dozen people were reported injured, and several arrests were made, though official figures were not immediately available.
The protests are rooted in long-standing grievances over underfunded schools, teacher shortages, and dilapidated buildings. Students and teachers alike argue that years of budget cuts have left the education system in crisis, with some schools reporting crumbling infrastructure and a lack of basic supplies.
A movement gains momentum
Thursday's demonstration was the latest in a series of actions that have closed hundreds of schools across France. The movement has drawn support from teachers' unions and left-wing political parties, who see it as a broader indictment of the government's priorities.
In Paris, the protest turned violent after a small group of masked demonstrators began throwing projectiles at police lines. Officers responded with volleys of tear gas, sending crowds scattering through the narrow streets of the Latin Quarter. Similar clashes were reported in Marseille and Lille, where students also faced off with police.
The violence has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation. Organizers have called for more protests in the coming days, and some student unions have threatened to block exams if their demands are not met.
Education Minister Nicole Belloubet has defended the government's record, pointing to recent increases in education spending. But critics argue that the increases are insufficient to address the scale of the problem. A report released last year found that nearly one in five French schools is in need of urgent repairs.
The protests come at a delicate political moment for President Emmanuel Macron, whose government is already facing pressure over pension reforms and the cost-of-living crisis. The unrest has also drawn comparisons to the gilets jaunes movement, which shook France in 2018 and 2019.
In a statement, the Paris police prefecture said it had acted to prevent damage to public property and ensure the safety of all citizens. However, human rights groups have criticized the heavy-handed response, calling for restraint on both sides.
As the sun set over the capital, the streets began to clear, but the underlying tensions remain unresolved. The students' demands are clear: adequate funding, safe buildings, and a future that does not leave them behind. Whether the government will listen remains to be seen.
