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More than 400 people were arrested in France on Tuesday during widespread blockades at high schools, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said, according to BFMTV.
“Across the country, there were 440 arrests,” Nunez told the broadcaster late Tuesday. He said the final figures were not yet available, but that about two-thirds of those arrested had been placed in police custody.
The minister said the arrests were mainly linked to property damage, clashes with security forces and violence against public officials.
Students protest conditions in schools
Nunez described the incidents as “quite serious” and said security forces had responded in an “extremely proportionate manner”. His comments came after several political figures criticised police actions during the protests.
The high school student union USL reportedly said that about 400 of France’s roughly 3,700 high schools had been blocked.
France’s Education Ministry reported that 31 students and staff members were injured. Nunez said 48 internal security personnel were also injured during the day.
Blockades called to continue
High school students have been mobilising in the Ile-de-France region for the past week, protesting overcrowded classes, schedules and a shortage of teachers.
USL later called for the blockades to continue on Thursday, demanding additional resources for students.
