What happened
Violent student riots continue to spread across the Paris region in France, resulting in numerous injuries and arrests. The French government has promised to increase the national education budget and collaborate with student leaders to address the issues that sparked the riots, including better staffing, renovations, and reforms to classroom scheduling.
Despite these promises, the violence has not subsided, with reports of bystanders being set on fire and minors having their hands blown off by grenades. Over 5,000 people, mostly minors, have been arrested since the riots began, and 589 schools have been disrupted by the protests.
Footage has emerged showing violent attacks against police and civilians, including a 15-year-old male arrested for attacking a woman with an impromptu flamethrower. Police have escalated their use of force, using rubber bullets, stun grenades, and other crowd control weaponry against the rioters.
A teenager's hand and lower arm were blown off by a stun grenade in the town of Lens, and the case has been referred to the General Inspectorate of the National Police for further investigation. The French government has blamed the left-wing France Unbowed party for stirring up civil unrest and urging protesters onward.
