High school students in Paris' deprived suburbs spark national protest movement

Tens of thousands of French high school students and supporters took to the streets this week, starting in Paris-area suburbs such as Aubervilliers, to protest deteriorating school conditions. Demonstrators cited dilapidated buildings, overcrowded classrooms, and teacher shortages, saying education in poorer neighborhoods suffers most. At Lycee Le Corbusier, classes including maths, humanities, English and sport were reportedly canceled since the start of the academic year. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets in some clashes, with more than 5,000 arrests and injuries including eye damage and head blows. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez condemned a “climate of unacceptable violence.” The unrest has spread to towns including Marseille, Strasbourg, Tours and Lille amid budget plans that raise education spending by 1.7% to €65.53 billion.