France braces for another day of rage — after a student's hand was severed and thousands arrested

France is preparing for another nationwide day of protests after a week of student demonstrations. At least 190 students have been injured and more than 5,000 people arrested, 87% of them minors. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu presented measures, but the leading student organization rejects them as lacking concrete substance.

France is bracing for a massive wave of protests on Tuesday, after protest organizers called for a national day of rage in support of students demanding greater investment in the education system. The call comes after a turbulent week in which students blocked hundreds of schools. At least 190 students have been injured and more than 5,000 people arrested. The education minister reported that more than 500 educational institutions were partially or fully closed, and that 24 schools have been burned and looted since the protests began. The protests erupted in September in Paris and spread across the country, led by high school students joined by university students. They are protesting overcrowded classrooms, neglected buildings, and a severe teacher shortage. On Sunday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a series of measures but stressed there would be no concession to violence. The main student organization claims the government has offered nothing concrete. According to the justice ministry, of the 5,060 arrested, 87% are minors; 14 have been placed in pretrial detention and 1,802 face prosecution. On Monday, a 15-year-old boy's hand was severed in clashes in Lens, and 14-year-old Eden was seriously injured by a tear gas canister. The crisis has become a volatile political issue: the government and the right accuse the radical left of stoking tensions, Marine Le Pen calls the events organized riots, and Mélenchon accuses the police of abusing their authority.