More than 250,000 protesters took to the streets across France on Tuesday in demonstrations calling for increased funding for schools, marking the largest day of unrest since the protests began nearly three weeks ago. Predominantly involving teenagers, the rallies turned violent in several cities, including the capital, Paris, where demonstrators threw fireworks and stones at law enforcement officers. Police responded with tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds.
The unrest prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to convene an emergency meeting at the Élysée Palace alongside Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and the ministers of the interior and education. Authorities have accused the radical left political party France Unbowed of instigating the protests ahead of next year’s elections. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed, denied these allegations, dismissing claims that his party was responsible for the violence.
The day’s clashes raised concerns over police conduct after reports that one young protester lost a hand due to a stun grenade and another suffered permanent eye damage. Human rights groups and opposition politicians have called for an independent investigation into the use of force by security services.
International reactions have varied, with former U.S. President Donald Trump attributing the demonstrations to "mass migration" and Islam via posts on the social media platform Truth Social. French commentators broadly rejected this explanation, emphasizing the protests’ domestic roots related to education policy and funding.
More protests are scheduled for the coming days as the government seeks to address mounting tensions while maintaining public order. The demonstrations reflect ongoing frustration among youth and activists over perceived inadequacies in the education system and social inequalities.