Police fired tear gas at a barricaded high school in Paris as students continued their nationwide protests against education underfunding, leading to clashes and widespread disruptions across France and even into Belgium.
Dozens of students at Helene Boucher Lycee in northeastern Paris erected barricades with rubbish bins, prompting police to deploy tear gas. This incident is part of ongoing nationwide protests in France, with hundreds of schools disrupted and numerous demonstrations planned. Since late September, over 6,600 arrests have been made as students, many under 18, demand increased education funding, citing issues like dilapidated facilities and insufficient staff. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu lamented the violence, attacks, injuries, vandalism, and lost classes, criticizing political leaders for exploiting the unrest ahead of the April presidential election. Students, like 18-year-old Emma Khelil, expressed concerns about police violence and poor school conditions, including insulation problems, water leaks, and rats. She believes the movement will grow stronger if conditions don't change. The impact of these protests has also extended to Belgium, where cities like Liege have seen clashes, arrests, and bans on public gatherings, with students demanding more teachers and smaller classes, inspired by the events in France.
