France School Protests Escalate: Nearly 400 Schools Shut, 1,949 Arrests in Single Day

Protests by high school students across France intensified on Friday, with nearly 400 schools and educational establishments forced to close as demonstrators blocked entrances and clashed with police. The unrest, which began in the Paris region last month over teacher shortages, long school hours, and poor school infrastructure, has since spread to cities including Saint-Denis, Lille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Rennes, and Marseille.

Authorities reported escalating violence, with approximately 1,949 arrests made in a single day and 305 police officers injured. Around 2,000 people have been taken into custody since the protests began, with 90% of them minors. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said the demonstrations had moved beyond student grievances to become a public-order issue, citing attacks on buses and schools by what he termed a "violent minority."