Police block planned routes as French high-school protests swell and authorities negotiate
The Paris police prefecture has refused the routes requested by demonstrators, while officials and protest organizers continue talks; the prime minister has ordered a suspension of classes to allow internal school debates as large student rallies are expected.
In Paris, the police prefecture denied the protest routes that demonstrators had planned, leading to continued dialogue between law-enforcement officials and the organizers of the upcoming rallies. An ex-minister is slated to become a mission officer at the Délégation des affaires européennes et internationales of the Justice Ministry's General Secretariat. The Pope disclosed a early-stage lung nodule that will require surgery, adding a health note to the broader news cycle.
The government, facing growing unrest, has ordered a suspension of school classes this week so that students can hold internal democratic assemblies, a move announced by the prime minister. Large-scale demonstrations involving high-school students, university pupils, teachers and various activist factions are expected across the country, with reports of thousands gathering in Marseille and other cities. The Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, has suggested that parents of minors responsible for damages could be made financially liable.
Why it matters
The dispute over protest routes and school suspensions could heighten nationwide unrest and affect public order in France.
How this story developed
- Oct 1 France sees nearly two thousand arrests as school protests turn violent
- Oct 7 President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting with senior ministers to discuss the school protests.
- Oct 7 France suspended the use of stun grenades against student protesters.
- Oct 7 Cumulative detentions rose above 6,100 and 488 people were arrested during the latest day of clashes.
- Oct 8 The interior ministry announced a temporary ban on stun grenades following injuries to teenagers.
- Oct 8 Teenagers continue to block high schools across France, demanding action on teacher shortages and crumbling facilities, while the government promises quick, funded solutions without detailing them.
- Oct 8 Large student and teacher marches gathered in Marseille and Lyon, while dozens of lycées in Île-de-France faced disruptions and police actions.
- Oct 8 Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a platform for student demands.
- Oct 9 Bagayoko returned after being extracted to thank the youths who accompanied him.
- Oct 9 The minister announced an emergency plan to send substitute teachers to affected schools.
- Oct 9 Mayor Demeyer introduced the gathering ban.
- Oct 9 The government pledged to allocate about 3,000 fully qualified teachers to address staffing gaps.
- Oct 12 Since the initial coverage, the protests have expanded beyond students to include civil servants, farmers and logistics workers.
- Oct 13 Police made about 500 arrests during Thursday's nationwide protest.
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