A teenage protester in northern France suffered a severe hand injury during a clash with riot police on Monday, a local official confirmed. The incident occurred in the town of Lens as part of ongoing school demonstrations against issues such as underfunding, overcrowding, and poor infrastructure.
According to reports, the 15-year-old lost his hand and part of his lower arm after handling a police stun grenade that unexpectedly detonated. The prefect of Pas-de-Calais, François-Xavier Lauch, mentioned that around 200-250 protesters were involved in the altercation, throwing objects at law enforcement.
The unrest comes six months before the upcoming presidential election in France, with accusations from the government and the far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, blaming left-wing politicians for fueling the protests. Meanwhile, rights groups have criticized the police for allegedly using excessive force against minors, including batons, tear gas, and other crowd-control measures.
As investigations into police tactics continue, one case involves a 16-year-old who reportedly sustained an eye injury after authorities fired rubber bullets into a crowd of demonstrators. The leading left-wing party, France Unbowed, led by presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, denies promoting violence and accuses the government of politicizing the situation and neglecting the students’ concerns.
The ongoing protests have added pressure on the government, which is already working to reduce a budget deficit amid growing financial concerns. The demonstrations have led to the closure or partial closure of 400 to 500 high schools, with no signs of easing tensions ahead of a planned nationwide protest.
Starting in September in Paris and spreading to other regions, the protests have been characterized by the government as urban violence. Education Minister Edouard Geffray reported that 24 schools had been vandalized or set on fire, and 78 teaching staff had been injured during the unrest.
Images shown on BFMTV depicted clashes between police and students in various cities across France, with tear gas deployed in some areas and attempts to break into schools in Paris. The situation escalated further when a group of individuals, wearing masks and hoods, attacked a school in Paris, causing it to be evacuated and classes suspended.
Since the previous Monday, approximately 5,000 individuals, mostly teenagers, have been arrested, and numerous injuries have been reported. The government plans to expedite legislation to hold individuals accountable for property damage during the protests.
Concerns are mounting about potential violence during the upcoming organized protests in central Paris, especially regarding the involvement of far-left and anarchist groups. Labor union representatives have expressed their intention to participate in Tuesday’s demonstrations to safeguard the students and address the government’s handling of the unrest.
