Key facts
- Greta Thunberg joined French students protesting poor school conditions, teacher shortages, and dilapidated buildings.
- The protests, now in their fourth week, have involved marches and school blockades.
- Education Minister Edouard Geffray stated about 200 of the country's 3,700 high schools were expected to be closed.
- Thunberg described the police response as 'extremely violent'.
- The French government suspended the use of stun grenades after a protester lost a hand.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg joined demonstrating high school students in France on Tuesday, lending support to a month-long protest movement highlighting chronic teacher shortages, overcrowded classes, and crumbling school buildings. Thunberg, who gained global fame for her climate activism, told reporters that "young people are not being included in the conversation" and that "our future is being stolen from us and, as we have seen here, schools are not getting the investment they need."
The protests, now in their fourth week, have involved marches and school blockades, with some clashes with police. Interior ministry figures indicated that more than 260,000 protesters participated nationwide last Tuesday and a further 75,000 on Thursday. Education Minister Edouard Geffray stated that about 200 of the country's 3,700 high schools were expected to be closed, though some classes have been cancelled or disrupted in many more schools, leading to partial or full online learning.
President Emmanuel Macron called for restraint, noting the issues "deserve time, consultations, discussion and respect." Government figures show more than 6,800 people, mainly minors, have been detained during the protests, with about 1,500 facing prosecution. Allegations of police brutality are under investigation, and hundreds of protesters, school staff, and police officers have been injured. The government suspended the use of stun grenades after a protester lost a hand from one, and another lost an eye from a teargas canister.
Political figures have weighed in on the protests. Far-right frontrunner Marine Le Pen blamed violent protesters for damage, while radical-left opponent Jean-Luc Mélenchon praised the demonstrators and denounced police brutality. The protests are occurring six months before a crucial presidential election.