Hundreds of thousands of individuals participated in protests across France, which began with high school students and expanded to include parents, university students, and unions. Demonstrators marched from the Place de la République in Paris, advocating for increased resources for schools and reduced police repression. Police clashed with protesters in Lyon, deployed tear gas in Paris and Marseille, and used water cannons in Rennes, although the level of violence was reportedly less severe than in previous protests.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned earlier violence, noting that since the protests began, 215 students, 85 staff members, and 715 police officers had been injured. The government reported disruptions in 891 high schools on Tuesday, equating to nearly a quarter of all lycées, and stated that over 250,000 demonstrators participated, while student unions estimated the number at 450,000, with 1,800 high schools blockaded during what protesters termed "Act Three" of their movement.
In Marseille, thousands of demonstrators moved through the city, chanting and attempting to barricade themselves from police. Riot officers responded with tear gas, causing protesters to disperse. A student named Alissa expressed that most participants were not violent and highlighted issues such as deteriorating school conditions. Another student, Sacha, mentioned leaking ceilings and poor conditions in their schools, stating, "We will keep doing this until good measures are taken."
In parliament, Prime Minister Lecornu accused the radical-left France Unbowed (LFI) party of trying to create chaos ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for seven months later. President Emmanuel Macron, nearing the end of his second term, was set to meet with ministers at the Élysée Palace to evaluate the situation.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray emphasized the need for dialogue rather than blockades and noted that "ultra-violent elements" had infiltrated the student movements. The government has faced pressure to address students' demands, but initial measures, such as a website for grievances and a planned discussion day in schools, have not garnered significant support.
The protests, which began in mid-September, have raised concerns about police conduct, with the IGPN police inspectorate investigating several incidents. One police officer has been charged with violence resulting in mutilation after a tear gas grenade injured a student, while another incident involved a teenager losing a hand due to an anti-encirclement grenade.
The protests originated from frustrations over overcrowded classrooms, insufficient teaching staff, and poor school infrastructure in Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris. The French interior ministry reported that 6,547 individuals had been stopped or arrested by police since September 28. The protests attracted participants of all ages, including a couple in their 70s who joined the march in Paris to support the students, citing their background as former teachers and their concern for the education system.