Paris police chief calls student protests 'out of control,' urges peaceful action

Paris police chief Patrice Faure declared the student protest movement "out of control" on Saturday, urging peaceful action and warning of a firm response to violence ahead of renewed protests planned for Tuesday. Since Monday, around 5,000 people, mostly teenagers, have been arrested nationwide, with over 600 police officers injured. Clashes erupted Friday as riot police faced high school students protesting classroom conditions, funding, and vandalism, with damage estimated in the tens of millions of euros. Faure called on parents to steer children away from "professional rioters," while student unions have scheduled a national demonstration for Tuesday. Security officials fear far-left anarchist groups could hijack the movement amid ongoing anger over overcrowding and underinvestment.