Violence erupted on Monday in the French capital Paris, where police clashed with students protesting against the second nationwide lockdown. French authorities have decided to leave schools open under the new restrictions, which angered students and teachers, who argue that the decision puts their health at risk as they have to remain in a crowded environment, increasing the risk of contracting the disease, which has killed more than 40,000 French citizens.
The clashes began after police tried to disperse the protesters. In response, demonstrators started erecting barricades and setting them on fire. The city’s police union said one police car was vandalised and that protesters were throwing stones at law enforcement.
Révolte lycéenne à #Compiegne
— Cerveaux non disponibles (@CerveauxNon) November 9, 2020
La colère ne faiblit pas dans les #lycées face au mutisme du gouvernement sur la crise actuelle.
A Compiègne ce lundi, des barricades en feu devant le lycée Mireille Grenet, où une voiture de police a été fortement secouée.pic.twitter.com/I7Iq4XAE4e
The Paris police department said four demonstrators were detained during the clashes and that one fireman was injured.
Bonjour @PoliceNationale cela s'est passé ce matin aux abords du Lycée Mireille-Grenet à Compiègne. L'un d'entre eux est identifiable vous n'aurez pas de mal à trouver. #Compiegne #LyceeMireilleGrenet #Oise #SoutienAuxForcesDeLordre pic.twitter.com/UNeiDM6MGI
— Ben Ji (@OffBenJi) November 9, 2020
This is not the first time that students have clashed with police in France following the introduction of the second lockdown. Last week, law enforcement had to resort to tear gas in order to disperse demonstrators in Paris who were blocking roads leading to schools.
ALERTE : Le #blocus du lycée #Colbert à #Paris dégénère en affrontement entre forces de l'ordre et étudiants : du gaz lacrymogène et des projectiles sont projetés de part et d'autre. Les lycéens manifestent contre le protocole sanitaire #COVID19 jugé trop laxiste. (@ClementLanot) pic.twitter.com/9XAcwwz9u6
— L’Étudiant Libre (@LEtudiant_Libre) November 3, 2020
The lockdown was introduced on 29 October in response to a spike in coronavirus cases. On 7 November, the country reported a record number of infections – 86,852. On Sunday, however, the number dropped sharply to 40,439. Overall France has 1.7 million cases and more than 40,400 people have died from the disease.
