Paris reels as student protests descend into chaos
Paris is grappling with the aftermath of a day of unrest that saw hundreds of thousands of people on the streets across the country, marking the biggest mobilisation since protests over education reforms and rising prices began last month. At Place de la Republique in the city centre, residents on Sunday surveyed the damage from the previous day: shattered windows, gutted buildings and looted shops.
“I find it unacceptable, absolutely unacceptable,” said Rabah, a Parisian of more than 70 years. “Back in the day, we also demonstrated, but peacefully.” Claire, 56, stood before the charred remains of a former newspaper stand and said, “I love Paris so much, and seeing it like this makes me furious. It’s absolutely appalling. I’m actually quite overcome with emotion.” Nearby, the statue of Marianne, the emblem of the French Republic, was defaced with graffiti that read, “Those who sow misery reap anger.”
The student‑led protests began in mid‑September over issues ranging from overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages to systemic inequality and limited opportunities. The movement quickly moved beyond schoolyards and tapped into broader social and economic anxieties. On Saturday, authorities recorded a nationwide turnout of 550,000 people, while unions and organisers estimated 800,000.
Although most demonstrators remained peaceful, the scale of violent unrest threatened to drown out their message. In Paris, police deployed tear gas and stun grenades before the march began, setting a tense tone for the day.
“I marched from the 10th arrondissement town hall to Place de Clichy. I was there from start to finish, and it was very peaceful, just all kinds of people, all of them nonviolent,” said Stephanie, a 23‑year‑old student. “But once again, the violence was so spectacular that the actual message, the reasons behind the protesters’ grievances, was never conveyed,” she added.
French President Emmanuel Macron, whose second and final term ends next year, will deliver a televised address to the nation at 18:00 GMT on Sunday after meeting with government ministers, the Élysée announced. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported that nearly 1,800 people had been arrested, almost half of them in Paris, and that more than 500 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured. “Protesting is a fundamental right. Causing disorder through violence and in a concerted manner is not,” he said.
Al Jazeera observed groups of masked young men in black smashing shop windows with what appeared to be golf clubs before fleeing with bags of stolen goods. In Marseille, dozens of shops were looted and a crowd forced its way into city hall before being expelled. “Students and others have real claims they want to air which no one is listening to now because idiots are smashing everything,” said Mayor Benoît Payan.
In Limoges, footage showed flames engulfing the historic city hall, while public buildings in Bordeaux and other cities also suffered damage. Police conduct has come under scrutiny: the IGPN opened 36 investigations into alleged police violence since the high‑school protests began, according to Interior Ministry figures released on 13 October, before Saturday’s demonstrations. Human‑rights lawyers described injuries to some detainees as comparable to those seen in conflict zones, including a minor who lost a hand, another with a broken jaw, and a pupil who lost sight in one eye.
“There is an increasingly systematic use of crowd‑control measures that would normally be reserved for much more serious situations,” said Christophe Calvao, president of the Paris Young Lawyers’ Union. “This only serves to inflame tensions and make people even angrier.”
The government now faces the challenge of addressing widespread social discontent while trying to pass a budget aimed at bringing public finances under control. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu plans to reduce the deficit through spending restraint and tax measures, a move likely to deepen public anger. Cuts to France’s generous welfare system have traditionally met strong resistance.
All of this unfolds in a highly charged political climate as parties harden their positions ahead of next year’s presidential election. Jean‑Luc Mélenchon, leader of the left‑wing France Unbowed party and potential presidential contender, accused the government of fueling the unrest. “In Paris, aberrant leadership has opened the door to chaos. Those in charge no longer know what to do; the rank and file are afraid and are running wild,” he said.
Lecornu responded on social media, saying, “This is YOUR political responsibility,” and accusing far‑left groups of orchestrating the violence.