French interior minister Laurent Nunez announced on Wednesday that police are prohibited from using stun grenades during high school student protests. This decision follows mounting public outcry over mounting police brutality allegations and severe injuries sustained during ongoing demonstrations. Nunez stated that the suspension will remain in effect while officials clarify recent incidents, emphasizing it applies exclusively to high school-related rallies. He stressed that this suspension was “only for the high school student protests” and for “just long enough to understand what happened”.
Tensions intensified after a 15-year-old student lost a hand on Monday during a protest, while a 14-year-old in northwest Paris was previously injured in the face by a tear gas grenade, resulting in the loss of several teeth. A police officer currently faces charges in connection with the latter incident. Interior Ministry data indicates that 18 internal investigations into potential police misconduct are underway.
Nationwide, the demonstrations have drawn more than 250,000 participants. On Tuesday, security forces deployed tear gas to disperse crowds in Paris and other cities. Official figures report that at least 488 people were arrested on Tuesday alone, with 43 security personnel wounded. Throughout the duration of the movement, which began in late September due to concerns over decaying facilities and educator shortages, more than 6,500 people—mostly minors—have been arrested. The protests started in late September with students blocking entrances to hundreds of high schools for 15- to 17-year-olds over complaints of dilapidated facilities and teacher shortages. Most of the day’s demonstrations were peaceful but there were sporadic clashes across the country with protesters throwing projectiles and security forces using tear gas, AFP correspondents said.
The physical toll of the unrest has been significant, with the government documenting injuries to at least 215 students, 715 police officers, and 85 teaching staff since the start of the protests. While classes have resumed in many areas, over 500 schools remain partially obstructed by students using trash bins and other materials to block entrances. The government has blamed the LFI for stoking tensions around the protests.
President Emmanuel Macron held emergency discussions Tuesday evening with Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and senior ministers to address the mounting crisis. While Lecornu has formally condemned the violence and denied allegations that the government authorized systemic repression, his office scheduled an address regarding the national budget and school protests for later Wednesday. To facilitate dialogue, the government proposed a half-day session for democratic discussion within schools. His office said, against the backdrop of heated debates over the country’s 2027 budget, lecornu will speak later on Wednesday on the school protests as well as the national finances.
Student and union leaders remain skeptical of these measures. Ryad Rani, a prominent student union representative, described the consultation plan as a stall tactic intended to mute debate. Similarly, Nicolas Bonnet, representing the school principals’ union, emphasized that meaningful resolution requires more substantial action than temporary consultation periods. However, student union leader Ryad Rani told local press that the effort was “yet another attempt to muzzle the debate” and to gain time.
The political fallout has further divided the government and the opposition. Manuel Bompard of the France Unbowed party criticized the administration, suggesting that it took several children suffering permanent injuries before officials reconsidered the use of aggressive crowd control measures. Meanwhile, the government continues to attribute the escalation of tensions to the influence of hard-left political factions.