More than a quarter of a million people took to the streets across France on Tuesday, a dramatic development in a student movement that began in a single high school. In some cities, police and demonstrators clashed. French officials condemned what they called “extreme violence.” Deema Zein reports.
Geoff Bennett:
More than a quarter of a million people took to the streets of France today, a dramatic development in a student movement that began in a single high school. In some cities, clashes broke out between police and protesters, and French authorities condemned what they called extreme violence.
Our reports Deema Zein.
Deema Zein:
Along the main promenades of Paris, police in riot gear fire tear gas at demonstrators, many of whom are young teenagers.
Authorities said 300 hostile individuals tried to confront police on a day when 56,000 students, parents and teachers marched in the French capital. Similar scenes erupted across the country, from Strasbourg in the east to Lyon further south, on the biggest day after weeks of student protests.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu spoke out about the chaos from the French National Assembly.
Sébastien Lecornu, French Prime Minister (through interpreter):
Extreme violence has knocked on the doors of these high schools, and this extreme violence must be condemned without reservation.
Deema Zein:
Since the protests began in mid-September, around 6,000 people have been arrested. Around 300 students and staff were injured, along with some 700 police officers. The French Interior Minister says the police response was proportionate in – I quote – “almost all cases”.
But it also fuels defiance and anger, leading up to today when union activists have joined 250,000 protesters nationwide, demanding more funding for education amid understaffed schools, overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated university buildings.
Students vowed to continue mobilizing as new blockades formed around hundreds of high schools.
Etienne, student (through an interpreter):
It is important to protest to make our voices heard. Despite the repression, the strikes and the tear gas, we must continue the fight because it is not over.
Deema Zein:
Among the crowd, parents shielding their children from police lines, chanting to their faces: “There is no danger. You are the ones creating it.”
Emilia Sichili Suriam, member, FCPE Parents Association (through an interpreter):
We all share the same goal, protecting the rights of children. And it is a legitimate right to demonstrate and demand.
Léa Monimart, early childhood professional (through an interpreter):
They are 17 years old. They are not completely ignorant and know what they are talking about. It’s important to show that there are adults who support them.
Deema Zein:
For the PBS News Hour, I’m Deema Zein.
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