French riot police have resorted to using tear gas and non-lethal weapons as student protests intensify across the nation, a decision that has drawn significant criticism from legal unions. The protests, initiated by the far-left party La France Insoumise (LFI), are a response to alleged poor study conditions and staff shortages in schools. The demonstrations have rallied thousands of students, transforming into one of the largest student protests in recent French history. France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has both condemned the violence and defended law enforcement’s “proportional” response.
The protests gained momentum following a call to action from LFI on October 6. The party asserted that the government’s and law enforcement’s reactions were unjustified and overly repressive, urging further demonstrations and calling on adults to support the students. In a particularly alarming incident, a 15-year-old student was severely injured by a non-lethal grenade, highlighting the dangers of the methods being employed to manage the protests.
Prime Minister Lecornu stated on X (formerly Twitter) that police interventions were necessary due to the escalation into “ultra-violence.” He explained that instructions on the proportionality of force had been provided, citing violence against property and people as triggers for police action. Yet, criticism has poured in from various quarters, including the Magistrate’s Union, which condemned the police strategy and the “brutal arrests” and injuries caused by less-lethal weapons that disproportionately impact young minorities from working-class areas.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez rejected accusations of repression and stated on X that proportional interventions are essential, even as law enforcement aims to protect peaceful demonstrators. He emphasized that law enforcement acts decisively to end violence and misconduct caused by troublemakers.
The Magistrate’s Union responded critically, condemning the normalization of using less-lethal weapons on students, urging adherence to Article 3 of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Despite the tension, Prime Minister Lecornu has made efforts to engage with the student body, promising that their concerns will be addressed in a dialogue consultation, which has already garnered significant feedback from students.
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