France Student Protests Resume Monday
French student unions have called for fresh blockades of high schools and universities from Monday, November 2, extending an anti-government protest movement that has continued for three consecutive weekends.
Pierre Sourzat, head of the student organisation Lyceens!, said some high schools would be blocked as students returned from a two-week holiday. Speaking to broadcaster RMC on Sunday, he indicated that mobilisation could intensify from Tuesday.
Student leaders say the government’s proposals have failed to address their demands. The renewed calls for action raise the prospect of disruption at participating educational institutions, although the source does not identify individual schools or universities.
Unions Plan November 5 Mobilisation
University organisations are also seeking broader participation in demonstrations alongside high school unions and workers.
Sabrina Kharbach, spokesperson for Union Etudiante, said students planned another round of blockades on Thursday before joining the November 5 demonstration called by striking workers. Speaking to BFMTV, she emphasised the aim of mobilising larger numbers to strengthen support for their demands.
Manon Moret, secretary-general of the National Union of French Students, known as UNEF, said the government had yet to offer a concrete response to young people’s concerns.
The planned action follows Saturday’s nationwide demonstrations, which brought hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets, according to the supplied account. Around 350 events were planned across France for the third nationwide day of social action in three weeks.
Police Deployment And Paris March Route
Authorities classified the weekend demonstrations as high-risk, citing concerns about possible attempts to obstruct the Paris ring road or target government buildings.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said approximately 70,000 police officers and gendarmes had been deployed nationwide for the demonstrations. In Paris, the Council of State overturned an administrative court decision, allowing a march to proceed along a route from Bagnolet to Charenton.
