To think the French students are out of control?

I think the issues are more prevalent I'm more deprived areas, I wonder if your friend lives in a nicer area? I read an account from a student in a deprived area who said his class is up to 50 students, and there are only about 30 chairs/tables, so many students have to stand. Not enough books to go round, teachers often off with no replacement, no toilet paper, toilets blocked and not working etc. It takes him 90 mins to get to school, as lack of school places near him. No excuse for damage to property, but it does sound awful

It is a warning to other European countries to address mass immigration and listen to the citizens.
The government in Ireland is tone deaf, students driving 100 miles or sleeping in their car because there’s no accommodation, nurses, health workers leaving the country because they can’t get jobs while the government sponsor international nurses and doctors.
Destroying the country is not the answer.

It starts looking like wider civil revolt...but against what? Their national coffers are empty or so what they say, but Macron sent armies to the Middle East, huttis and what not...

I have a friend who lives in a village 5 km out of Paris, she keeps sending jolie photos from her life not even mentioning a word about it...how can we live in such distorted worlds

FFS read my post. The ones who care about class sizes aren't the ones burning down buildings!!

They weren’t getting professional jobs (or jobs at all) before this anyway - that’s a big part of the problem.

If it is frightening maybe it is time that western governments (and the older generations that elect them) thought a bit more about inter-generational fairness.

Please read my post. There are two groups. Don't confuse them!

They’re out of control. It is frightening. Similar scenes in Denmark. They are joined by thugs who just want to burn down the place.
Attacking innocent people trying to earn a living. Calling for the death of the police trying to protect the country.
Students are protesting in other European countries too but are not destroying their own cities and stores.
They have lost any high ground. Who wants these people working in professional jobs?

This is interesting, we'll be getting the blame next.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/17/french-police-uk-funded-4x4-vehicle-ram-student-protesters

I think you’re overestimating the effect a criminal record from pre18 has on the lives of people.

How does burning down historical buildings, schools and universities address the problem of large class sizes? What do Palestine flags have to do with a long school day? How does attacking emergency services workers and causing criminal damage to loot from designer clothes shops support the argument for fewer exams and more educational choice?

There isn't a logic to a riot. It's a mob of people on the rampage.

So here's how it goes:

People have been complaining for a long time
They're ignored
They carry on complainting
They keep being ignored
They start to protest and other people also realise that they've got things to complain about
The protests continue and the protesters begin to make demands
They're ignored
They carry on making demands
They keep being ignored
And so they do something that can't be ignored

That's how you know about it, because through their actions they're not being ignored any more.

Obviously, the logical thing to do, in a democracy, would be for the government to listen to the people when they complain.

In lycée class sizes are usually between 35 to 40.

What size class are they unhappy with? I seem to have missed this..

the problem with destroying buildings and resources is that costs such as taxes may well have to go up to replace.

I have never understood why any protest or riot involves looting, whatever the country, Stealing property not belonging to you, not to do with class sizes etc …

Please try to remember the students protesting about their education are not the ones setting fire to buildings and burning things (ok, maybe a bin or two). The idiots doing that are no longer in education or have no plans at all to continue past what is compulsory.
I'm not sure how much is being shown in British media but a lot of the violence is actually coming from the police towards peaceful protesters, there has been some shocking behaviour coming from people who are supposed to protect the public.

"They" are not the students protesting about lack of teachers, resources and rat infested classrooms though are they? A hodge podge of former Gilet Jaunes , anarchists, and bored and destructive anti establishment groups.

Well, my first thought is that it really is terribly French of them. Of course they’re out of control, but stranger things have happened than protests turning violent, sadly.

“Would this happen in the UK?”

It already has and for far less noble reasons.

Be careful what you wish for.

Revolucion? Is that what you want?

I know the beautiful stunning buildings being destroyed.

I thought today was Bout the costs of living there.

media is not reporting on some peaceful walks that happened today etc. only showing a few ones where some little sh*t joined to destroy things

https://www.bfmtv.com/societe/manifestations/direct-manifestations-du-17-octobre-plusieurs-rassemblement-prevus-en-france-emmanuel-macron-appelle-au-calme_LN-202610170049.html