French police have detained nearly 2,000 people since student demonstrations began on September 21, impacting more than 400 schools. The protesters, joined by university students and civil servants, demand the government address teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms. The unrest has spread to Belgium, and a new nationwide protest is scheduled for October 6.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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French Students Set Firefighter Alight in Riots Affecting 400 Schools
World18 days ago
An aerosol can explosion engulfed a firefighter in flames on Tuesday as he responded to a fire near Montaigne high school in Bordeaux. Students filmed the incident on their phones, with one report identifying them as second and third-generation migrants. In a separate incident in Marseille, protesters doused teachers with gasoline at the Victor Hugo High School.
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