Paris police chief says student protest movement out of control, urges peaceful action
The Paris police chief has declared the ongoing student protests across France to be out of control, citing widespread violence and injuries. Authorities are urging students to return to peaceful demonstrations while warning of firm responses to vandalism and potential hijacking by extremist groups.
Why it matters
The escalation of civil unrest in France highlights significant social tension regarding education funding and infrastructure, posing a challenge to the Macron administration's stability.
The student protest movement that has spread across France is now “out of control”, the Paris police chief said on Saturday, urging demonstrators to return to peaceful action and warning that authorities would respond firmly to violence and vandalism.
Riot police clashed with high school students across France on Friday (October 2, 2026) and unions called for teachers to strike as President Emmanuel Macron’s government battled to contain increasingly violent protests over classroom conditions and funding.
Since Monday (September 28, 2026), around 5,000 people, mostly teenagers, have been arrested nationwide and dozens injured.
Agathe Foucault, a spokesperson for the national police, told RTL radio on Saturday (October 3, 2026) that more than 600 police officers had also been injured.
Teachers and members of the public have been attacked, while damage to property is estimated in the tens of millions of euros.
Also covering this story
13 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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