Student Protests in France and Belgium Escalate Amid Clashes and Arrests

Student protests in France escalated further as Paris police deployed tear gas to disperse teenagers who overturned rubbish bins and erected barricades outside the Hélène Boucher High School in the city's northeast. The wave of demonstrations, which center-right politicians accuse the extreme left of inciting for political gain, shows no signs of abating and has now spread to neighboring Belgium, where similar unrest was recorded.

Nationwide Unrest and Clashes

Marches took place not only in Paris but also in Nantes, Rennes, Bron, Toulon, Marseille, and other cities. The Hélène Boucher school has become a primary flashpoint between demonstrators and security forces in the capital, joining some 375 schools—out of roughly 3,700 nationwide—that were either fully or partially closed due to student blockades and activist activities. Many participants wore surgical masks or hoodies to conceal their identities.

The protests erupted on September 17 and gained intense momentum, particularly in working-class suburbs such as Saint-Denis. Students have blocked school entrances, occupied roadways, set fire to bins, and clashed with police, demanding better infrastructure, smaller classes, and more teachers. These demonstrations coincide with the French government's efforts to pass the 2027 state budget aimed at reducing the national deficit.

"We are here to defend our rights, not to lose an eye or a hand," said 18-year-old student Emma Khalil outside the Hélène Boucher school.

Since the movement began, at least 24 schools have been vandalized or set ablaze, and 85 educational staff members have sustained injuries. The clashes have also left nearly 800 police officers and 215 teenagers injured. According to the latest official figures, authorities have arrested more than 6,600 people—mostly minors and young adults—since the unrest started, with the Ministry of Justice confirming that 1,800 will face trial, including 1,483 juveniles. Property damage is estimated in the tens of millions of euros.

Political Reactions and Allegations

Critics have accused Jean-Luc Mélenchon's radical-left party, France Unbowed (LFI), of instigating violence and fueling the riots, pointing to the frequent presence of Palestinian flags and keffiyehs among the crowds. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned political leaders for exploiting student anger for electoral purposes ahead of the upcoming presidential race. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump weighed in via social media, claiming the protests reflect uncontrolled immigration and an attempt by radical elements to destabilize France.

Spread to Belgium

The unrest also spilled over into Belgium, with Liège witnessing severe clashes. Police deployed water cannons and tear gas to push back hundreds of demonstrators, leading to nearly 90 arrests and several injured officers. Authorities in Liège enacted a public gathering ban until midnight on October 16, citing a severe and immediate threat of continued vandalism and violence.