What began as protests against insufficient resources in French schools has quickly escalated into a national crisis. High school students have blocked schools, disrupted public transport, set several buildings on fire, and both police and emergency services have been attacked. Videos circulating on social media show many of the most active protesters appearing masked, and many have an immigrant background.

The past week has been tense on the streets of France, and on Thursday the situation escalated further. Nearly 2,000 people were detained on Thursday and over 300 police officers are said to have been injured during the unrest.

The French government now describes parts of the developments as violent riots and has summoned the country’s highest political leadership for a crisis meeting.

The protests have spread from the Paris area to cities across France. According to the Interior Ministry, around 1,000 high schools have been affected by the demonstrations. In several hundred places, students have tried to hinder teaching through blockades and fires, and university students have also joined in.

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The protests are primarily driven by dissatisfaction with the situation in French schools. Students describe overcrowded classes, a lack of teachers and other staff, and school buildings in poor condition. Meanwhile, videos shared on social media paint a different picture of some aspects of the protests.

Video clips from several parts of France show young people engaging in extensive vandalism and arson. In many of these clips, youths with immigrant backgrounds can be seen.

Fires and Violent Clashes

At the same time, the protests in several locations have taken on much more violent forms, with fires both outside and inside school grounds.

At a school in Marseille, two teachers reportedly had gasoline poured over them when the situation spun out of control. Authorities report that several hundred people have been injured during the protests.

Government Calls for Crisis Meeting

On Thursday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called the government together for a special crisis meeting. Ministers were urged to cancel trips and other plans to deal with the rapidly escalating conflict.

Meanwhile, school leaders and teachers in several areas have been subjected to threats and attacks. Among other things, a video circulating on social media allegedly shows a principal being struck by a firework aimed at their body.

A woman who tried to get protesters to stop destroying things was subjected to a brutal attack in front of the crowd. Her face and hair were set on fire.

Political Dispute Over Who Is Behind the Protests

The protests have quickly become part of the political conflict in France. The government and right-wing politicians have accused the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI) of helping to mobilize the youth.

Representatives of the party have been seen at several demonstrations, and the accusations have sparked a broader debate about the opposition’s role in the protests.

Right-wing politician Marine Le Pen has gone so far as to claim that the developments are no longer only about student protests, but about riots organized by political forces.

LFI rejects this characterization and emphasizes that the party supports peaceful demonstrations. Party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has also strongly criticized police actions and said that violence must not be used as an excuse to ignore the students’ demands.

It is still unclear how long the protests will last or how extensive they will become. The demonstrations began with a focus on the everyday reality of schools but have now developed into a broader conflict between students, police, and the government.

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