French Students and Left-Wing Groups Spark Major School Riots
French students and radical left groups intensify school protests, sparking clashes and arrests across multiple cities.
2 min read
French high school students have returned to the streets in a third wave of increasingly violent protests, with support from left-wing groups and teachers’ unions. The unrest, which began over concerns about overcrowded classrooms and poor facilities, has escalated into full-scale riots, with thousands of students and supporters blocking schools and clashing with police.
Clashes and Arrests Surge
Protests erupted in Paris, Lyon, and Strasbourg on Tuesday, as thousands of students once again occupied their schools and marched through city streets. Authorities have warned of up to 40,000 demonstrators in Paris, with over 6,000 arrests made since September 28. More than 5,000 people, many of them minors, have been detained, and over 700 police officers and nearly 100 school staff have been injured.
Left-Wing Groups Join the Movement
The student-led revolt has drawn support from a range of far-left groups, including the Confédération Générale du Travail (CGT), the Socialist Party, and French politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s La France Insoumise. Even a radical farmers’ union has joined the cause, urging members to support the blockades using tractors.
Prime Minister Warns Against Violence
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has acknowledged the growing unrest, announcing that high schools will suspend regular classes and hold “internal democracy” sessions with students. He condemned violence against teachers and warned that minors are also responsible for their actions. Lecornu also accused La France Insoumise of pursuing a “political project to create chaos” ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
Philosopher and Far-Right Criticize Left-Wing Influence
Famed French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy criticized Mélenchon for comparing the student protests to the May 1968 uprisings, calling the comparison “unworthy” and the party’s involvement “disgusting.” Lévy accused La France Insoumise of inciting violence and dragging students into dangerous situations. Far-Right leader Marine Le Pen also blamed Mélenchon for encouraging activists to stand between students and police, suggesting violence could be legitimate.
Source: Daily Wire
