France's student protest movement exploded into its biggest day of unrest yet on Tuesday, with authorities reporting nearly 500 arrests and dozens of injured security personnel as demonstrations against deteriorating conditions at high schools swept the country.
The interior ministry said 488 people were arrested and 43 security personnel wounded during the day, according to AFP; Asiaone reported 48 security personnel injured. Turnout estimates diverged sharply: the ministry counted 256,000 demonstrators nationwide, while union organisers put the figure at 450,000. More than 6,500 arrests have been made since the movement began on September 28, Japan Times reported citing Bloomberg.
Macron convenes emergency meeting
President Emmanuel Macron called an emergency meeting on Tuesday with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Education Minister Edouard Geffray to discuss the escalating situation, a government source told AFP. The movement began in late September when students aged 15 to 17 started blocking entrances to hundreds of high schools in protest against dilapidated facilities and teacher shortages, and has since drawn in parents, teachers and unions.
Injuries and excessive-force claims
Rights groups and unions accused authorities of using disproportionate force. On Monday, a teenager lost a hand after police fired a stun grenade, AFP reported, and a 14-year-old student in northwest Paris was hit in the face with a tear gas grenade at close range, losing several teeth; a policeman was charged on Tuesday over that incident. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said at least 215 teenagers and 85 school staff had been injured during the protests, Asiaone reported, adding that ministers have been ordered to present first proposals on teacher shortages and building repairs by the end of October.
Sources:
Dawn (AFP) — France student protests: arrests, injuries and emergency meeting
Malay Mail (AFP) — France's student protests explode into nationwide unrest with nearly 500 arrests
Japan Times (Bloomberg) — France student protests
The interior ministry said 488 people were arrested and 43 security personnel wounded during the day, according to AFP; Asiaone reported 48 security personnel injured. Turnout estimates diverged sharply: the ministry counted 256,000 demonstrators nationwide, while union organisers put the figure at 450,000. More than 6,500 arrests have been made since the movement began on September 28, Japan Times reported citing Bloomberg.
Macron convenes emergency meeting
President Emmanuel Macron called an emergency meeting on Tuesday with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Education Minister Edouard Geffray to discuss the escalating situation, a government source told AFP. The movement began in late September when students aged 15 to 17 started blocking entrances to hundreds of high schools in protest against dilapidated facilities and teacher shortages, and has since drawn in parents, teachers and unions.
Injuries and excessive-force claims
Rights groups and unions accused authorities of using disproportionate force. On Monday, a teenager lost a hand after police fired a stun grenade, AFP reported, and a 14-year-old student in northwest Paris was hit in the face with a tear gas grenade at close range, losing several teeth; a policeman was charged on Tuesday over that incident. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said at least 215 teenagers and 85 school staff had been injured during the protests, Asiaone reported, adding that ministers have been ordered to present first proposals on teacher shortages and building repairs by the end of October.
Sources:
Dawn (AFP) — France student protests: arrests, injuries and emergency meeting
Malay Mail (AFP) — France's student protests explode into nationwide unrest with nearly 500 arrests
Japan Times (Bloomberg) — France student protests
