High school student protests: more than 200 injured, the IGPN (General Inspectorate of the National Police) opens three investigations
High school blockades spread on Wednesday, September 30, while several demonstrations were marred by incidents. Authorities report more than 200 injuries since the start of the unrest. Three investigations have been entrusted to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN) following injuries to high school students, including the serious injury of a young man in Tours, the cause of which remains to be determined.
356 establishments affected on Wednesday
According to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, 356 establishments were affected by the protests on Wednesday, compared to 338 the previous day. He also indicated that 83 police officers and gendarmes had been injured. The minister denounced the throwing of projectiles, the attacks on officers, and attempted arson, describing some of the incidents as « urban violence. »
Édouard Geffray, the Minister of National Education, reported that 119 students and staff members had been injured since the start of the unrest, including 34 staff members. He called for classes to resume and condemned the attacks targeting public officials.
The mobilization is linked, according to the reported demands, to a lack of resources, difficulties in replacing teachers, and the deterioration of learning conditions. It had begun more than ten days earlier.
Three investigations following injuries to high school students
The IGPN (General Inspectorate of the National Police) has been notified of incidents that occurred in Sevran, Seine-Saint-Denis; Saint-Ouen-l’Aumône, Val-d’Oise; and Tours, Indre-et-Loire. In Tours, a young man was hospitalized at the University Hospital with head injuries. The possibility of a flash-ball launcher (LBD) shot is being investigated, but the origin of his injuries had not been determined at the time the reports were submitted.
The prefecture told Agence France-Presse that checks were underway to determine whether the injury could have resulted from a flash-ball round. Law enforcement officers, along with firefighters, had intervened to extinguish several fires and were targeted by projectiles. Laurent Nuñez stated that the police and gendarmes had used their intervention methods, including tear gas, in a proportionate manner.
The government announces a consultation
The Ministry of National Education plans to launch a platform allowing high school students to voice their concerns and requests. Édouard Geffray hopes it will be operational by Monday, October 5th, or at the latest by Tuesday morning, October 6th. A national feedback session will then be organized, though no date has been announced.
The rectors must convene the academic councils for student life within 48 hours. Principals may also call extraordinary meetings in their schools. From Madrid, Emmanuel Macron stated that he understood the concerns and anger of young people, while affirming that these did not justify violence.
The high school student union has called for renewed mobilization on Thursday, October 1st, followed by a day of action on October 6th. The FAGE, the student union, and the UNEF also support the movement and are calling for demonstrations and blockades.
Source: RFI – News, information, live updates – Radio France Internationale (www.rfi.fr)
Original article: See the original source
Author: RFI with AFP
