Riots resume in France: fire in Paris, tear gas in Toulouse, a 15-year-old picks up a stun grenade and his hand is severed
The student protest in France enters its second week: the hand of a 15-year-old was severed after he picked up a police stun grenade in Lens. Clashes in Lille, Toulouse, and Paris; 24 schools were set on fire or looted, about 5,000 arrested. Police claim the protest organizers lost control; the opposition accuses Mélenchon's far-left party of incitement.
The student protest in France, now in its second week, escalated dramatically today: a 15-year-old student in Lens picked up a police stun grenade from the ground, apparently to throw it back at officers, and the grenade exploded in his hand, severing it. The regional governor described the incident as 'most severe' but noted his life is not in danger. Meanwhile, violent clashes were reported in Lille, use of tear gas in Toulouse, and arson in Paris during an attempted break-in at a school. Since the protests began, 24 schools have been set on fire or looted, 78 teaching staff injured, and about 5,000 people arrested, most of them teenagers. Property damage is estimated at tens of millions of euros. The Paris police chief claimed the protest organizers lost control. The opposition accused Jean-Luc Mélenchon's party 'France Unbowed' of inciting violence. A national 'day of anger' is planned for tomorrow, and fears of further escalation are high.