Overview
- A nationwide wave of lycée blockades that surged on Thursday left about 1,027 schools affected and resulted in roughly 1,949 people arrested, according to interior ministry figures.
- The protests turned violent in many cities with fires, thrown projectiles and assaults that left more than 300 police and hundreds of students and education staff injured.
- The government ordered roughly 400 lycées closed with classes moved online where possible, called for a firm prosecutorial response and opened three IGPN inquiries into police interventions.
- Political blame is contested: Matignon said services reported LFI and ultra‑left proxies played an organising role while LFI denied orchestration, and ministers have scheduled meetings with unions and lycéen representatives.
- Organisers have called further national action for 6 October and the presence of large numbers of minors has complicated policing and risks prolonged school disruption and legal consequences for participants and parents.