French government suspends stun grenades as student protests spread

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 7 Oct, 12:37 · Archive

France has suspended police use of stun grenades at student protests after a week of demonstrations demanding better school conditions.

The French government has suspended police use of stun grenades at student demonstrations following widespread protests across the nation. President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and other key ministers to address the crisis. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets on Tuesday demanding better conditions in high schools.

The government admitted that its response was 'too harsh and lacking empathy'. More than 6,000 arrests have been made during the week of protests and disorder. Demonstrators are demanding an end to overcrowded classrooms, shorter school hours and increased education funding. Further widespread protests are expected to continue.

How it is being reported

• France suspends use of stun grenades against protestersFrance is suspending the use of stun grenades against protesters as allegations of student brutality draw more anger. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is also set to address the nation later this evening.DW News · 7 Oct, 13:12
• French police forced to stop using stun grenades on rioters as Emmanuel Macron admits response 'too harsh'The French government has suspended the use of stun grenades by police against rioting school pupils and parents after admitting that “the response was too harsh and lacking empathy.” The move comes as the number of arrests during more than a week of protests and disorder soared past 6,000, with children as young as 14 reported wounded amid the chaos. Demonstrators are demanding an end to overcrowded classrooms, shorter school hours and increased funding for education. On Monday, a 15-year-old boy lost his left hand after picking up a police grenade fired at children in Lens, northern…GB News · 7 Oct, 12:27
• France suspends stun grenade use at student protests ahead of PM speechFrance has suspended the use of stun grenades by police at student-led demonstrations, the interior minister said Wednesday, as allegations of police brutality mounted after days of sometimes violent demonstrations across the country. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across France on Tuesday demanding better conditions in high schools. That same evening, President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and other key ministers to find a way out of the crisis. FRANCE 24's Antonia Kerrigan reports from a high school in Aubervilliers, France.France 24 · 7 Oct, 11:55
• French government scrambles to calm nationwide student protestsThe French government is looking to appease protesters after a week of high school student protests that spread across the nation. President Emmanuel Macron held a meeting Monday with his Prime Minister, Interior minister and Education minister in hopes of coming up with a solution to appease the protesters. But despite government efforts to renew dialogue, widespread protests are expected as soon as Thursday.France 24 · 7 Oct, 11:54

In this story: Emmanuel Macron · Sebastien Lecornu · France · Lens

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