Blockades, Fireworks and Tear Gas: Young Protesters Are Rattling France

About 100 students protested outside Rosa Parks High School in Seine-St.-Denis, north of Paris, on Thursday, demanding better conditions including ventilated classrooms, functioning facilities, and more teachers. Similar demonstrations have spread across France over the past week, with thousands of students blockading schools and clashing with police. The French Interior Ministry reported 3,000 arrests and injuries to nearly 400 police officers plus more than 230 school employees and students. On Thursday alone, Rosa Parks joined more than 1,000 schools protesting, with 220 blockaded. Authorities say the unrest has shifted from legitimate grievances toward “urban violence,” alleging political agitation by a far-left party.