Nearly 2,000 Detained as French High School Blockades Continue, Interior Minister Condemns 'Unchecked Violence'

Blockades at French high schools continued Thursday, October 1, more than ten days after students began mobilizing to demand greater resources and improved conditions at their schools, according to RFI.

The protests have led to nearly 2,000 detentions, the report said, as demonstrations in several cities resulted in disruptions and clashes with police. France's interior minister condemned what was described as "unchecked violence" linked to the unrest.

Government Response

According to RFI, France's education minister requested that schools affected by the blockades hold classes remotely. Separately, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered his ministers to cancel their scheduled travel, the report said, though it did not specify the reasoning behind that directive or which ministers were affected.

The report did not detail the specific demands of the protesting students beyond calls for more resources and better conditions, nor did it specify which cities saw the most significant disruptions or clashes.

Scale of the Mobilization

The nearly 2,000 detentions reported by RFI reflect the scale of the unrest more than a week and a half into the protest movement. The report did not provide a breakdown of detentions by location or specify whether those detained included students, other protesters, or bystanders.

Further information on the government's longer-term plans to address the students' underlying grievances, or on any negotiations between officials and protest organizers, was not included in the available reporting.