Several schools blocked across France as thousands expected to join protests

Several high schools and universities were blocked early Tuesday across France as thousands are expected to take to the streets following a call by student organizations, according to broadcaster BFMTV.

Blockades continued at several high schools and universities in Paris, as well as in Marseille and Toulouse, where 12 of the city's 13 high schools were disrupted on Monday.

Several student organizations in Lille also called for the mobilization to continue, including through a demonstration.

The "Black Tuesday" called by high school student organizations is also expected to unfold in Lyon, where authorities approved a student demonstration.

The Paris police prefecture estimated between 15,000 and 30,000 demonstrators to take to the streets following a call by student organizations.

On Monday, the police prefecture banned the planned march from the Pantheon to the area around the Medef headquarters, citing a route that was "incompatible with the security constraints currently in force."

An alternative route between Porte de Charenton and Porte de Montreuil was later proposed, but the order was challenged before an administrative court.

In Lyon, 900 people took part in the demonstration, according to the Rhone prefecture, while youth organizations put the turnout at 1,500. The march took place peacefully, according to the prefecture.

The prefecture also reported 17 arrests in the Rhone department during mobilization activities outside schools.

Three people were arrested outside Jacques-Brel High School in Venissieux over mortar fire, a fire and damage, while four were arrested outside Aragon-Picasso High School in Givors. A total of 27 schools in the department were disrupted, it said.

The Higher Education Ministry reported that 51 higher education institutions were disrupted Tuesday morning out of 184 nationwide.

Earlier, the student union Union Etudiante had said one in two universities were disrupted, and more than 50 campuses were blocked.

The National High School Union (USL) said 500 schools were blocked, compared with 48 high schools reported by the Education Ministry.

Meanwhile, the CGT-Interior union called on ministry staff, including police officers and administrative and technical personnel, to join a nationwide strike and demonstration scheduled for Nov. 5.

The union said police officers who are off duty could attend demonstrations in civilian clothes, while other staff could take strike action. It criticized the proposed 2027 budget, saying it would freeze salaries and that bonuses were distributed unequally among staff.

The Paris Administrative Court rejected requests to overturn the partial ban on the student unions' planned demonstration, the Paris police prefecture said on US social media company X.

The only authorized route is therefore between Porte de Charenton and Porte de Montreuil, the prefecture said, urging demonstrators to use it.

Earlier, the Ile-de-France student union Interfac had called on students to gather at Jussieu at 1.30 pm to decide collectively how to proceed if the prefecture's ban was upheld.