Interior Minister Darmanin reported that 735 of France’s 3,700 schools have been impacted, directly or indirectly, by the ongoing violent demonstrations.
Announcing the arrests late Friday, Nuñez told TF1: “We are witnessing a descent into riot and urban violence, and we are deploying every available measure to bring it to an end.”
Education Minister Édouard Geffray noted that the movement has been co‑opted by individuals who are not students.
He told BFMTV that teachers had reported, “The people standing in front of me are not my students.”
Earlier on Friday, a 17‑year‑old was apprehended on suspicion of attempted homicide following clashes in Belfort, northeastern France, where a police officer was attacked.
BBC Verify has now authenticated two videos showing the man, later identified as an officer by a minister, being assaulted.
The graphic footage captures a group of young men chasing him; the officer falls to the ground and is repeatedly punched and kicked in the head.
The education ministry reports that at least 65 staff members have been injured during the unrest.
In the Paris suburb of Pantin, police moved in to make arrests after projectiles were thrown at officers.
In Strasbourg, police deployed tear gas as they anticipated the situation would deteriorate, Reuters reported.
Incendiary attacks on rubbish bins have also been reported in Rennes and Paris.
“As far as we’re concerned, we’ve won – our school is closed this morning,” said Lola, a 16‑year‑old protester, to AFP on Friday.
She added that police actions had escalated the situation.
“It makes us even angrier – the police have no right to hit us or use tear gas on us,” she continued.
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