Student protests turned into violence in France: 400 schools were closed

In France, education was suspended in approximately 400 schools today after student protests against education-related problems turned into violence in some regions.

Protests against teacher shortages and neglected school buildings began in the Paris region last month. The level of violence increased in the protests that spread across the country and dozens of people were injured. Police detained hundreds of people.

Minister of Justice Gerald Darmanin said, "There is an active and violent minority participating in the protests. We are not even sure whether they are really high school students or not," and announced that 2 thousand people have been detained since the protests began.

The Minister also said, "We have evolved from high school student demonstrations to actions that disrupt public order. When people target buses and set schools on fire, this is no longer just a matter of protest."

Intelligence blamed the leftist party

According to a source close to Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, intelligence agencies suggested at a crisis meeting that the protest movement was initiated by left-wing politicians, including members of the country's largest left-wing party, Unyielding France (LFI).

LFI MP Louis Boyard denied this claim in his statements to French broadcasters.

According to officials, student protesters started fires in at least two high schools, while gasoline was accidentally spilled on teachers at another high school in the southern city of Marseille. At least one vehicle was set on fire in Strasbourg in the east, while there was a clash between riot police and young people in the southwestern city of Toulouse.

Some high school students in Liège, Belgium, also started protests. According to local media, authorities in Liège announced that all schools in the city are closed today.