A quarter of a million people marched across France in support of student protests, with barricades set ablaze and a baby hospitalized after being struck by a firework, as demonstrations calling for education reform turned confrontational in Paris and other cities.
The infant was hospitalized after being hit by a firework during the unrest, according to reports from the scene. Local media described barricades burning in the streets and protesters being supplied with what one outlet called an «endless supply of projectiles», as police moved to disperse crowds with tear gas.
The scale of the mobilization made it the biggest day of school demonstrations so far, with roughly 250,000 people participating nationwide. The protests, led largely by students, have drawn support from broader segments of the public and have become a focal point for grievances over the direction of France's education system.
In Paris, police clashed with demonstrators who had gathered to demand education reform. Officers fired tear gas as crowds pressed against security lines, and video from the capital showed confrontations between law enforcement and protesters in several locations. The interior ministry and local authorities have not yet released a full tally of injuries or arrests.
The demonstrations are part of a wave of student-led protests that have rocked France in recent days. Organizers say the movement reflects deep frustration with conditions in schools and universities, though the specific demands have varied by region and institution. The breadth of Tuesday's turnout suggests the unrest has tapped into wider discontent beyond the student population.
School blockades and street protests were reported in multiple cities, disrupting daily life and forcing authorities to adjust security deployments. The government has been bracing for a day of widespread disruption, with officials monitoring the situation as it develops.
The protests have drawn international attention, with observers noting the intensity of the clashes and the size of the crowds. The presence of a hospitalized infant underscored the risks posed by the use of fireworks and other projectiles in densely packed urban settings.
It remains unclear how long the demonstrations will continue or whether they will lead to any policy response from the French government. For now, the focus is on the aftermath of the largest day of action so far, and on whether the momentum behind the student movement will sustain itself in the coming days.