Riot police clashed with protesters, and the unrest disrupted more than 700 schools across France on Friday. The demonstrations, which started last week in Paris, subsequently spread throughout the country.
Gerald Darmanin stated that the demonstrations escalated from high-school student protests into a public order disturbance. In the Paris suburb of Pantin, police charged at demonstrators and made several arrests.
Tear gas was deployed in Strasbourg, and rubbish bins were set alight in both Rennes and Paris. The education ministry confirmed that at least 65 staff members sustained injuries during the unrest.
The regional government reported that the Nelson Mandela high school in Nantes suffered damage exceeding 2 million Euro. A 17-year-old was arrested in Belfort, in north-eastern France, on suspicion of attempting homicide following the protests.
Students voiced concerns that school hours are excessively long, classrooms are too warm, and too many staff members are absent from work. Furthermore, the education ministry noted that significant damage occurred to school facilities.
Darmanin also stated that prosecutors had been asked to hold parents responsible for damage caused by their children and to cover repair costs. About 2,000 people, predominantly children, were taken into custody since the movement commenced.
Solidaires Trade Union Federation asserted that secondary school pupils possess the right to assembly, association, and demonstration.
Lola, a 16-year-old protester, stated, "As far as we're concerned, we've won - our school is closed this morning".
Lola, a 16-year-old protester
