High school protests spread across France as clashes erupt in several cities

Student mobilisations did not subside on Wednesday, with protests spreading to numerous lycées across France, notably in Saint-Denis, Strasbourg and Lyon. Regional authorities in Île-de-France indicated that 75 schools were affected, and 36 experienced violent incidents, including confrontations and vandalism. Police intervened, making 14 arrests in Lyon, where the mayor called for de-escalation and deployed municipal police to protect public spaces.

Fires were ignited in front of schools in Strasbourg and Nice, while a young man in Tours suffered a head injury, allegedly from a police-issued LBD, and was taken to hospital. President Emmanuel Macron reiterated that the protests do not justify violence, and political leaders such as Jean-Luc Mélenchon urged non-violent methods.