500 detained in French demonstrations

 

Mia Holmberg Karlsson/TT

 

Published 14:01 | Updated 20:00

         

       Students clash with police on the streets of Paris on Thursday. Photo: Teresa Suarez/AP/TT

Thousands of people marched across France once again in major protests against the education system.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, more than 500 demonstrators were detained on Thursday.

In Paris, police fired tear gas at a high school that had been blockaded by students.

"Macron, you're done for!" chanted students who had blocked traffic outside the Paris-Panthéon-Assas high school in the French capital, according to *Le Figaro*.

Protests also took place in cities including Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse, Nantes, and Marseille. Classes were halted at nearly 400 schools on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Education.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, just over 71,000 people took part in Thursday's demonstrations. The majority participated in actions at schools, while others marched in protest processions.

Gathered at dawn

In Paris, students gathered at dawn to erect new barricades around the Hélène Boucher high school, which has been a focal point for the protests of recent days. As the crowd grew, they were surrounded by police who, according to local media, clashed with demonstrators and fired tear gas.

Police also fired tear gas in Nantes on Thursday, *Le Figaro* reports.

Criticism of the French police has been intense since several students were injured during the protests. Among other incidents, a 15-year-old had a hand blown off by a police grenade in Lens, while other youths suffered knocked-out teeth and eye injuries. More than 6,600 demonstrators have been arrested, some after vandalizing bus shelters and starting fires.

Earlier on Thursday, government spokesperson Maud Bregeon dismissed the criticism, asserting that the police are acting with "proportionality and discernment."

Crisis plan promised

The demonstrators—both young and old—are demanding increased funding for the country's schools and a fundamental overhaul of the education system. In a televised address on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu attempted to calm the situation by promising a crisis plan by the end of the month.

Many students feel this is not enough.

"We expected more from him. This is an urgent situation," 17-year-old Salyna told AFP in Paris.

In Nantes, 17-year-old Camille noted that the students "don't want words":

"We want action."