Quarter million march across France

More than two hundred fifty thousand people took to streets across France on Tuesday as teachers, parents, and union activists joined students protesting a poorly funded high school system.

Police escalate with tear gas

French police fired tear gas in Paris and Marseille and used water cannons in Rennes as tensions escalated. Footage showed clashes between authorities and protesters, with some demonstrators lighting fires.

Student unions call for blockade

Union Syndicale Lycéenne and Union Étudiante called for the blockade of high schools and universities nationwide, urging all trade union and political organisations to support their mobilisation.

Injuries mount on all sides

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu told parliament at least two hundred fifteen teenagers and eighty five educational staff had been injured in clashes. More than seven hundred police officers incurred injuries.

Lecornu condemns violence

Prime Minister Lecornu said burning down a high school does not improve school buildings and called the reported violence unacceptable, describing it as the heaviest toll in decades.

“Burning down a high school does not improve the state of high school buildings.”

Teenager loses hand to grenade

A fifteen year old's hand was blown off during an altercation between high school students and riot police in Northern France on Monday after picking up a police grenade.

Government opens consultation channel

The Education Ministry launched a national consultation for students on Monday, open until October twenty third, to provide a safe space for young people to express concerns about France's lycée system.