French student protests intensify as police violence sparks injuries and investigations
Mass student demonstrations scheduled for Tuesday have already left over 210 pupils and dozens of staff injured, prompting police misconduct probes.
A new wave of student mobilisations is set for Tuesday, with strikes planned across Paris and major French cities. Since the unrest started, more than 210 students have been injured, alongside 88 education workers, including around 40 school principals. Police actions between 28 September and 5 October resulted in 6,059 summonses and 5,060 detentions, 87% of whom were minors.
The Interior Ministry has tasked the IGPN with probing 18 cases of alleged police brutality. Notable injuries include a 14-year-old who suffered facial fractures from a Cougar tear-gas launcher, a 16-year-old with a potentially sight-threatening eye wound from an LBD projectile, and a 15-year-old who lost a hand after a flash-bang device exploded. Videos of the clashes have heightened public anger, while left-wing politicians demand accountability and propose reforms such as lowering the voting age to 16.
Why it matters
The protests highlight deep social tensions in France and raise concerns over police use of force against minors.
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