{"id":5980,"date":"2026-10-19T12:37:45","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T12:37:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewitnessexeter.co.uk\/?p=5980"},"modified":"2026-11-02T13:25:04","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T13:25:04","slug":"opinion-can-we-still-protest-in-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewitnessexeter.co.uk\/?p=5980","title":{"rendered":"Opinion: Can we still protest in France?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An explanation in the context of the high school students\u2019 movement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holidays are well and truly over in France as students are taking to the streets to request a general increase in funding for public education. School blockades began on 21 September in Seine Saint-Denis (Paris\u2019 suburb) and just a week later, more than 338 secondary schools across the country were closed due to the protests. University students, teachers, parents, trade unionists and workers joined the protests. On 6 October, the organizers of the demonstration recorded more than 450,000 protesters across France. Since the start of the student movement, numerous cases of extremely violent police repression have been reported. This has deeply moved the entire population, but it also raises concerns about the right to protest in France. Is it still possible to express one\u2019s views in France by protesting?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To begin with, on 7 October \u2013 two weeks after the protests began \u2013 there were more than 6,629 arrests, 87 per cent of whom were minors. During the protests against the \u2018first-job contract\u2019 in 2006, there were only 250 arrests. The Human Rights League has condemned a worrying trend towards the routine use of repressive measures. In particular, the police are accused of making arrests as a preventive measure, rather than to neutralize behavior that is poignantly dangerous. This leads to arbitrary arrests, as we have seen over the past three weeks in France. Furthermore, since the start of the movement, many young people who have been detained have reported being systematically profiled; indeed, as soon as they arrive at the police station, officers take their fingerprints and photograph them, without informing them of their right to refuse. This is detrimental to the right to protest, as it discourages many people from taking to the streets to voice their demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Prime Minister, at least 215 young protesters were injured, largely due to the militarization of the police force. In fact, they are equipped with rubber bullet launchers, triple-effect grenades (tear gas, sound and blast), crowd-dispersal grenades, batons, water cannons and their personal firearms. French police officers are the only ones in Europe who are allowed to use such weapons during demonstrations. This militarization is leading to some very serious and worrying situations; for example, in Dunkirk, police officers in an off-road vehicle drove straight into the crowd and struck a schoolgirl. As a result of these protests, some young people have been left with lifelong disabilities, notably in Lens, where a 15-year-old pupil lost his hand when a grenade was fired. As a result of these protests, some young people have been left with lifelong disabilities, notably in Lens, where a 15-year-old pupil lost his hand after being hit by a grenade. A 16-year-old protester in Tours also lost the use of one eye after being struck by a defensive ball launcher. At least 24 investigations are currently underway at the Internal Affairs Unit (IGPN).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than stifling the movement and driving protesters off the streets, the police repression has only encouraged more French people to take to the streets. The violence and excesses observed in recent weeks can be explained by the presidential elections due to take place in 2027. France is indeed facing a crisis of purchasing power; middle-income families are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet, which is leading to widespread frustration and encouraging people to take to the streets. Furthermore, public services are facing budget cuts and are therefore struggling to function properly. We are also seeing a rise in violence across all Western democracies; indeed a link can be drawn with the highly violent arrests carried out by ICE in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In France, the right to protest is a precious legacy; however, it is very much under threat. Police repression is unprecedented and worrying; this is a particular cause for concern for Amnesty International and the UN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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