The protests by young people in France for better learning conditions in schools, which have been going on for over a week, have reached a new level. There were blockades at numerous high schools and universities. Protest marches formed in Paris and many major cities, which were joined by trade unions for the first time. Teachers and parents also take part in the protests - also to protect their children.
The police mobilized a large contingent and confronted the demonstrators in many cities wearing heavy equipment. She finds herself increasingly exposed to accusations of police violence at the rallies, with young people on many posters denouncing the use of tear gas. “Use tear gas against rapists, not against minors,” said a cardboard sign at the rally in Marseille. The General Inspectorate of Police is investigating operations in which demonstrators were injured by officers.
High schools and universities blocked
The high school union USL spoke at midday of 1,800 high schools blocked or closed as a precaution across France; In addition, 90 percent of universities are blocked. According to the Ministry of Education, classes were completely or partially canceled at 891 high schools.
150,000 to 200,000 demonstrators were expected nationwide, the broadcaster BFMTV reported, citing the Interior Ministry. A protest march in Paris alone, which started in the early afternoon, is expected to draw between 20,000 and 40,000 participants.
There should also be meetings in other major cities such as Lyon, Lille, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Rennes and Strasbourg. Demonstrators and police clashed in advance. Objects and fireworks were thrown at officers, and law enforcement officers used water cannons and tear gas. There is also outrage among a number of politicians about the police crackdown on the mostly young demonstrators.
Interior Minister finds police deployment “proportionate”
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez justified the use of grenades and rubber bullets in the demonstrations in an interview with France Inter broadcaster. If there are riots, the use of these weapons is “proportionate”. “One cannot speak of police repression here,” said the minister.
In the protests that started a week ago in schools in the greater Paris area, students are concerned about problems that they have been complaining about for a long time. Far too many lessons are canceled, there are too few substitute teachers, many school buildings are run down and the learning conditions need to be improved. Especially in disadvantaged neighborhoods, young people feel like second-class citizens and that their concerns are not taken seriously.
Premier promises improvements
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called on the ministries on Sunday evening to initiate concrete improvements in the country's schools and to listen to the legitimate concerns of the students. Education Minister Édouard Geffray launched an online platform on Monday where students can describe their demands and problems. But young people are not satisfied with that.
"We cannot understand this repression. The vast majority of students condemn violence and damage to property. We are pacifists," students Iris and Louane told a reporter from the newspaper Le Monde in Rennes, western France. "We just want to make our demands heard. The scale of this demonstration will help us show how widely these demands are shared."
The massive protests are catching France quite unprepared seven months before the presidential election. The government, which is currently struggling with an austerity budget, now wants to prevent a conflagration by extending the protests to other areas such as universities. The concern is that the protests, fueled by high fuel prices and the cost of living, could spread to other areas.
Riots also in Belgium
In France's neighboring country Belgium, young people are also taking to the streets to demonstrate against the school system. There were riots during protests on Monday with several people injured. According to the Belgian news agency Belga, 22 police officers were slightly injured in Liège. Participants threw stones and fireworks at the police.
There were reports of road blockages, small fires and broken windows. A water cannon and tear gas were used against the demonstrators. According to information, more than 1,000 demonstrators gathered to express themselves. Since the protests began last Thursday, a number of people have been arrested, including 17 minors.
