More than 400 detained as France student protests escalate

More than 400 people, mostly minors, were detained in France on Tuesday over student protests at high schools across the country, the French interior minister said.The demonstrations, which began in Paris and have seen teenagers blockade their schools for days, stem from issues including overcrowded classes and teacher shortages.At least 10 teachers and several students, as well as 48 law enforcement officials, were injured during Tuesday's protests, officials said. According to the education ministry, at least 400 schools were affected.Pictures and videos appeared to show bins being set alight and bus stops damaged by protesters.Sameer AL-DOUMY / AFP via Getty ImagesStudents carried out a blocking protest at a secondary school in Lille"We're here to deliver a message," one 16-year-old female student told the AFP news agency. "We're not here to smash everything up for no reason. We're here precisely to say that the education system is completely broken. There are 34 of us in each class, and it's just not feasible. The teachers are overworked."Taking to X, French Education Minister Édouard Geffray said students have the right to protest, but condemned reports of violence as "indefensible".Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told BFMTV 440 people were detained, adding: "We don't have the final tally yet, but I'm told two thirds led to police custody."