Student Protests Escalate Across France with Blockades at Major Universities and High Schools

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, student and pupil demonstrations across various regions of France intensified on Tuesday as protesters blockaded the entrances of high schools and educational centers in cities such as Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Rennes, and Montpellier.

In the French capital, student groups maintained ongoing domestic protests by blockading the historic entrance of the Sorbonne University. Furthermore, the National Union of Students of France issued a formal call for nationwide campus demonstrations, urging the expansion of rallies and the closure of higher education facilities.

Demonstrations materialized outside several academic institutions in Paris, prompting police intervention at the scene. In other metropolitan areas, student protesters disrupted academic activities by placing physical barriers in front of school facilities; notably, the entrance of the Ampère High school was obstructed in Lyon, the Bréquigny High School was blocked in Rennes, and similar measures were executed to seal off a high school entrance in Toulouse.

In response to the escalating situation, the Paris police department announced preparations for a large-scale gathering scheduled for 2:00 PM local time, estimating the potential turnout between 15,000 and 30,000 participants. Meanwhile, the French Interior Minister reported that 4,914 individuals have been taken into custody in connection with these ongoing demonstrations since October 17.