DID Press: Reports of unrest have emerged from several cities in France as student protests over education conditions and funding have escalated, with incidents including fires, objects thrown at police, damage to public property and temporary disruptions to transport services. Reuters reported that riot police clashed with high school students in several cities on October 2, while rubbish bins were set ablaze in Rennes and fireworks were directed at police in Marseille.
Reports have also circulated on social media of disorder inside a French metro station, including claims that protesters threw rubbish bins and trolleys onto tracks, causing fear and disruption among passengers. The specific video-based claims about the bins and trolleys have not been independently verified by reliable sources and are therefore not presented as established facts.
According to Reuters, the unrest has spread to hundreds of schools across France. Authorities reported more than 1,000 arrests over two days by September 30, while subsequent reports said hundreds of young people were arrested as protests continued.
In several cities, protesters and police have clashed. Reuters reported that tear gas was used in Strasbourg, fireworks were aimed at police in Marseille, and rubbish bins were set on fire in Rennes. In Pantin, on the outskirts of Paris, protesters reportedly set fences and other items alight and threw firecrackers at riot police.
The protests began over complaints about overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and deteriorating school infrastructure, and have since expanded across the country. Reuters reported on October 3 that demonstrations and blockades had spread to more than 1,200 high schools, with more than 5,000 arrests reported during the week.
The unrest has also affected public transport. In Marseille, public transport services were temporarily suspended after staff were injured during clashes, according to reports.
French authorities have condemned the violence while the government faces pressure to address the concerns raised by students and teachers over school conditions and funding.