The French government said yesterday it was pausing the use of stun grenades in its policing of student protests, after a 15-year-old boy’s hand was blown off during a clash with riot police, fuelling protesters’ accusations of police brutality.
Protests showed no sign of easing, with more than 500 schools closed a day after demonstrations swept across the country, and unions representing high school students, teachers and other workers planning more marches today.
The wave of protests has been going on for more than two weeks and has exposed widespread public anger six months ahead of an election to replace President Emmanuel Macron.
Speaking to the nation yesterday evening, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the government would review the demands made by students and present proposals at the end of October on issues ranging from renovating buildings to make more teachers available, but gave no details.
“In the past, too many promises were not kept, quite simply because they were untenable,” Lecornu said. “What I want are concrete, quick and fully funded answers.”
The lack of an immediate government response appeared unlikely to quell the protests. At Lycee Lamartine, a high school in central Paris, chanted slogans and performed Mexican waves as they blockaded the entrance to the school.
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