France is in the grip of an extraordinary wave of unrest, with schoolchildren at the forefront of nationwide protests. What started as student demonstrations has grown into a broad coalition, drawing in farmers, unions, and activists.

The unrest has spread on a massive scale. More than 10,000 security personnel have been deployed in Paris, while major cities have seen barricades, looted shops, and hundreds of vehicles destroyed. Among the most prominent targets: Marseille’s city hall has been occupied, and a historic stock exchange building in Bordeaux has been badly damaged.

The toll is rising. Reports say 937 police officers and gendarmes have been injured, along with 248 students and 149 education workers. In one devastating case, a 15-year-old student lost an eye after being hit by a rubber bullet.

The unrest reflects mounting frustration over a struggling education system and the rising cost of essentials, including fuel, housing, and food.

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