Riots are currently ongoing in France. What began as small-scale protests demanding reforms to address flaws in the education system have now escalated into nationwide unrest. Streets across nearly all major cities, starting with the capital Paris, now resemble war zones. School students have expressed intense anger over the lack of basic infrastructure in schools, thousands of vacant teaching posts, and staff shortages, taking to the streets together while warning against playing with students’ futures.
University students have also joined the movement in large numbers in support of school students. A total of 575 schools have been set on fire. University students allege that the admissions process has become extremely difficult, denying many students access to higher education, prompting degree and postgraduate students to join the protests as well. In massive demonstrations held on Friday, thousands of students flooded the streets of Paris simultaneously, chanting slogans on a large scale, which brought traffic to a complete standstill and disrupted normal public life across the city.
As the situation began spiraling out of control, police deployed large security forces to contain the student demonstrations. Police used lathi charges and indiscriminately fired tear gas to disperse protesters, and also forcibly dragged away and arrested several student leaders and students. In protest against the attack on what they describe as a peaceful demonstration, students turned to more violent methods.
In reaction to the police crackdown, the unrest suddenly intensified. Enraged protesters set fire to a total of 575 schools across different regions of France. School buildings, furniture, and vehicles were reduced to ashes. The streets of Paris, scarred by stone-throwing, smoke-blackened buildings, and wrecked vehicles, now resemble a battlefield.