France protests have intensified after the government suspended police use of stun grenades following the severe injury of a 15-year-old during demonstrations over school conditions. The decision comes as hundreds of thousands of people join rallies nationwide, with schools disrupted and political tensions rising ahead of France’s next presidential election.
France Protests Prompt Suspension of Stun Grenades
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez ordered a temporary pause on the use of anti-encirclement grenades while investigators establish what happened in Lens, a city in northern France near Lille. The teenager suffered the loss of a hand during unrest close to the Auguste Béhal high school.
Officials say the student picked up the device before it exploded, while protesters have alleged that police fired it directly at him. Local authorities reported that officers were facing a large crowd throwing stones and fireworks. A police watchdog has opened multiple investigations into whether officers used proportionate force.
The weapons are classified as non-lethal, but their use has become increasingly controversial during France protests because of the risk of serious injuries in densely packed crowds.
School Closures and Injuries Spread Across France
More than 500 schools were fully or partly closed as demonstrations continued. Education Minister Édouard Geffray said 24 schools had been burned or vandalised so severely that they could remain closed for several weeks, affecting about 30,000 pupils.
The disruption follows a nationwide day of action in which tear gas and water cannon were used in several cities. Interior Ministry figures recorded 488 arrests and injuries to 43 security personnel. Government officials also said that hundreds of students, headteachers and other school staff had been hurt during the unrest.
Another teenager in Strasbourg suffered a serious hand injury outside a school, reportedly while handling a mortar-style firework. Separately, prosecutors opened an investigation after a 17-year-old protester alleged that an officer held his head underwater during an arrest near a river in Belfort. The student has also been charged over an alleged assault on the officer.
Concerns over police tactics
Criticism of policing has grown after a 14-year-old in Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône was struck in the face by a tear-gas grenade. His lawyer said the boy lost several teeth and suffered a fractured jaw. A police officer has been charged in connection with that incident.
Police unions have opposed the suspension of stun grenades, warning that removing a crowd-control tool could lead to more close-range confrontations. Critics, however, argue that the injuries suffered by young protesters demonstrate the need for greater restraint and tighter controls on less-lethal weapons.
Government Faces Pressure as Protests Grow
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is expected to address the school crisis in an evening broadcast. He has asked schools to provide time for students to discuss their concerns and said an online consultation received 30,000 responses within its first day.
Student organisations say consultation alone is not enough. They are calling for specific improvements to school facilities and conditions and have announced another round of demonstrations in Paris and other cities. Student unions put participation in the previous protests at roughly 450,000, while government figures estimated more than 250,000 participants.
The movement initially focused on high school conditions but has expanded to include parents, university students and trade unions. The government has accused radical groups of exploiting the unrest, while opposition parties have blamed ministers for escalating tensions and failing to respond to young people’s demands.
Political tensions ahead of presidential election
The unrest is unfolding before elections to choose President Emmanuel Macron’s successor. The crisis has deepened divisions between the government, left-wing opposition groups and the hard-right National Rally, with competing claims over responsibility for the violence and the response from police.
President Macron held an emergency meeting with the prime minister and senior ministers after almost a quarter of the country’s lycées were affected. Authorities now face the difficult task of protecting schools and public safety while ensuring that peaceful protesters can demonstrate without excessive force.
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What Happens Next in France?
Investigations into the Lens injury and other allegations will be central to the government’s next decisions. Officials must determine whether police tactics complied with operational rules, while prosecutors continue examining injuries involving both demonstrators and officers.
Student groups have signalled that further protests are likely unless ministers offer concrete measures. The suspension of stun grenades may ease immediate concern, but it is unlikely to resolve the wider dispute over education, policing and political accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were stun grenades suspended in France?
The interior minister suspended their use after a 15-year-old lost a hand during unrest in Lens. The measure will remain in place while investigators clarify how the injury occurred.
How many schools have been affected?
More than 500 schools were fully or partly closed, while 24 were reported to have suffered damage serious enough to require closures lasting several weeks.
What are students protesting about?
The protests began over school conditions and have grown into a broader movement involving students, parents, university groups and unions.
Will there be more demonstrations?
Student unions have announced plans for another round of demonstrations in Paris and other French cities, saying government consultation has not produced enough concrete action.
Conclusion
The suspension of stun grenades marks a significant response to the escalating France protests, but it is only an initial step. With schools damaged, teenagers seriously injured and further demonstrations planned, France’s government must balance public safety with the right to protest while addressing the concerns that brought students onto the streets.
