The wave of school blockades erupted on September 17 at Saint‑Exupéry high school in Créteil, when students joined a teachers’ strike over staff shortages. Over a week later, 735 lycées nationwide were hit, with the Interior Ministry reporting 5,000 arrests by September 23.
Students cite chronic teacher absences, crammed timetables and an eight‑hour day stretching from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. as core grievances. Sociologist Valerie Becquet warned that "low‑income neighborhoods feel they receive an inferior education," highlighting systemic gaps that resonate across the country.
TikTok videos of tear gas canisters exploding over barricaded gates have gone viral, amplifying the movement’s reach. Becquet notes that social media offers a counter‑narrative to mainstream outlets, enabling students to document and share their own stories.
Politically, the protests have become a flashpoint ahead of the presidential election. LFI official Manuel Bompard dismissed the government’s claims as "conspiracy theories," while Jean‑Luc Mélenchon, polling over 40% among 18‑25‑year‑olds, urged non‑violent protest.
Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and batons, leading to physical harm. In Tours, a 19‑year‑old lost an eye after a confrontation; a video shows a police officer restraining a girl by the neck. Conversely, a police officer was beaten in Belfort by a group of youths.
The Interior Ministry has called for a cabinet review of policing tactics, while education ministers promise reforms to address staffing and curriculum gaps. As elections loom, the national debate on school violence and public safety is set to intensify.