Tens of thousands expected in Paris for high school protests

POLICE PROBED

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s office has called for “peaceful” gatherings, calling for a return to “a structured, legal and democratic form of opposition”.

The head of the CGT labour union Sophie Binet has said its members would be there to “protect high-school students”.

Several unions have accused the police of using disproportionate force against the protesters.

The police has launched 10 internal investigations into allegations of brutality since they started, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said late Monday.

The government has sought to address the grievances, while accusing hard-left activists of having hijacked the protest movement.

Since the start of the movement, 24 schools have been burned or ransacked, according to the education minister.

More than 5,000 people, 87 per cent of them minors, have been arrested.

Lecornu’s office said 85 teaching staff have also been injured.

The prime minister has sought to address the issue of missing teachers and renovating buildings that are dilapidated.

The government is also pushing legislation to make those responsible for damaging public property pay for repairs themselves, instead of using public funds.

Lecornu has said the draft law could allow compensation payments to be recovered from family allowances and housing benefits while ensuring a minimum income.

Union leader Binet has said it would “end up targeting the most vulnerable families”.