Troubles en France

Over 5,000 people have been arrested in France amid high-school-student-led protests.

In late September, blockades began in Parisian suburbs over dilapidated schools, classroom overcrowding, and teacher shortages in poor communities. Demonstrations quickly spread to 1,200+ schools, with some escalating to include arson and vandalism (see photos); police responded with rubber bullets and tear gas. Hundreds have been injured, schools sustained millions of euros in damage, and 400+ schools were closed Friday.

Anger grew after France's 2027 budget proposal, unveiled Thursday, included a 1.7% increase for education (a below-inflation boost attributed to population decline).

The French government condemned the violence, promising to pursue criminal charges and hold parents liable for damages. The education minister committed to include student voices in reform, launch a “consultation platform” to hear grievances, and address teacher shortages—proposals student leaders called a “smoke screen.”

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PRAY WITH US
King of Justice, send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead France. Lead protesters into peaceful organization and constructive conversation with public officials; lead law enforcement into prudence and courage and the courts toward justice; and lead the nation into creative collaboration so that dissent sows change that lifts the lowly. While peace remains elusive, establish Your church as a lighthouse that welcomes the exhausted. Amen. (read full prayer)

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