Fires Erupt at French Schools Amid Nationwide Student Protests

Fires have occurred at several schools in France as students protest by blockading educational institutions nationwide over issues related to school funding and studying conditions. Blazes were reported at two high schools in Nantes, western France, while another fire was filmed engulfing the entrance of a school in the northern city of Rouen. Students are voicing concerns about a lack of teachers and staff, overcrowded classrooms, and deteriorating buildings. University students joined the demonstrations on Thursday, citing similar grievances. The interior ministry reported that 1,949 people were arrested on Thursday, with 305 police officers injured. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu held a crisis meeting on Thursday to address the unrest. The government characterized the student-led demonstrations as having devolved into "urban violence." In Nantes, both fires spread after a bin was set alight, with one blaze at the Nelson Mandela high school damaging the entrance hall. In Marseille, staff at Victor Hugo high school were splashed with petrol as protesters reportedly filled containers. In Auchel, a headteacher at Degrugillier high school was injured in the ear by a firework. The blockades and protests at French lycées began last week and have since spread to hundreds of schools across the country. According to the interior ministry, 1,027 lycées have been affected by demonstrations, with blockades at 222 of them. At least 30 universities have also reportedly been blockaded, including campuses in Rennes and Paris. On Thursday, public transport services in Marseille and Strasbourg were halted due to vandalism and threats of violence, which hindered protesters' movements. Seventeen-year-old Raphael participated in protests outside a school in Strasbourg, where barriers obstructed nearby tram tracks. He expressed frustration with his school's facilities, citing leaks and insufficient toilets. "The building is falling apart, the cafeteria is too small. There's zero budget, zero resources, not enough supervisors," Raphael stated. Although France's next general election is months away, the protests and the government's response have become heavily politicized. The government and right-wing politicians have attributed the protests to the hard left, which are being organized by a union representing lycée students. Bally Bagayoko, the mayor of a Parisian suburb and member of the radical left La France Insoumise (LFI) party, defended earlier remarks suggesting that violence could be legitimate in certain contexts, referencing instances where protesters were allegedly shot at without protective gear. LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon emphasized his support for non-violent protests, arguing that blaming the left would not address the underlying issues. Marine Le Pen, leader of the hard-right National Rally, stated, "This is no longer about high school student protests. It is about riots organized by professionals and overseen by deputies from La France Insoumise," calling for a new anti-rioting law. Benoît Payan, the left-wing mayor of Marseille, condemned the "unacceptable violence" in his city, acknowledging that while young people are "legitimately concerned" about their future and public services, they must express their concerns calmly. Eric Ciotti, the Republican mayor of Nice, suggested that parents of those who damage school property should be held financially responsible for repairs.