When students threw a fireball over a school gate, riot police followed suit. Across the country, thousands took to the streets of Paris, Montpellier, Nantes and Marseille to demand better classrooms, more teachers, and safer buildings.
In Brest a blaze leapt into the street as protestors blocked traffic; in Strasbourg police sprayed tear gas after tensions spiked. 1,747 people were arrested by the end of Friday, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
At Nelson Mandela high school in Nantes, the fire destroyed the glass entrance, costing the city over €2 million. 65 staff members were reported injured as the chaos spread.
Parents fear their children could be caught in the mix, while unions back the students, calling for protection and support.
The clash arrives just six months before France’s presidential election, raising concerns that a fragile education system could decide political futures.
