French students took to the streets on Thursday and blocked some high schools to demand actions from the government, which they say is not adequately funding the country's education system. These protests, now in their third week, have seen hundreds of thousands of people on the streets. Crises related to staff shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and dilapidated buildings have reached a peak.
Protests Expanding to National Level
The protest movement expanded to a national level on Tuesday after student unions called for more support for their demonstrations, and parents, teachers, and activists responded positively to this call. Some protests turned violent, with participants setting fires and throwing objects, while police used tear gas and water cannons. Since the start of these protests, at least 6,547 people have been arrested or detained by the police. Additionally, hundreds of students and police officers have been injured. The French Ministry of Education announced that as of Thursday afternoon, 157 schools remained closed.
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Reference to the Protests of 1968
During these protests, students and other participants raised signs in support of changes. One common theme in these signs referenced the year 1968, particularly May 1968, which refers to the nationwide protests initiated by a student movement. These protests led to strikes by millions of workers and nearly toppled the government.
During the blockade of the University of Perpignan Via Domitia on Tuesday, a banner placed on the gates included a warning that roughly translated to "You are trying to deceive us, we will give you the fog of '68." Additionally, in the Reform Square in Marseille, one protester held a sign that read "Generation 67 is holding May '68." In Paris, protesters displayed a sign featuring a black-and-white image of an older figure with their hand over a young person's mouth, adorned with the phrase "Be young and be silent," which was also used during the 1968 protests.
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