High school protests in France, organized to demand improved educational conditions, have become the subject of an exchange of statements between Donald Trump and French officials. French Minister Barrot responded to Trump’s assessment of the protests.
Trump described the demonstrations in France as an uncontrollable immigration problem. He argued that the issue was not the schools, but that Islam was trying to take control of France.
Barrot, meanwhile, said France’s rivals and partners were trying to portray the country’s high school protests from their own perspectives. “If we do not write our own story, others will write it,” Barrot said, adding that France should not be subjected to narratives created by others.
Mélenchon criticizes Trump’s statement
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the presidential candidate of La France Insoumise, also reacted to Trump’s remarks. Mélenchon alleged that Marine Le Pen, the presidential candidate of the National Rally, had presented Trump with a narrative that did not reflect the truth about the cause of the violence in France.
Mélenchon also alleged that police officers had provoked, attacked and injured young protesters in Paris and other cities. He said trade unionists had joined the demonstrations to protect young people.
Hundreds injured in the protests
More than 6,000 people have faced legal proceedings in connection with the protests, which began on September 17 and spread to different cities. Around 5,000 people were also detained.
A total of 715 security officers, 215 students and 85 education workers were injured in the protests.
