French students voice anger at police brutality

Students have barricaded the entrance to a number of secondary schools in the French capital, Paris, in a show of anger at police brutality across the country.

The action reportedly led to the closure of dozens of schools in Paris on Thursday.

The demonstration was also held in solidarity with a young protester who was killed by French police last month, when a march at the site of a controversial dam project turned violent.

Remi Fraisse, a 21-year-old environmental activist, died under unclear circumstances on October 26 amid clashes between riot police and demonstrators who were rallying against the construction of the Sivens Dam in the commune of Albi, the prefecture of France’s southwestern Tarn department.

His death triggered outcry in several French cities, including Paris, Brest, Marseille and Lyon and finally forced local authorities to suspend the dam project.

Fraisse’s family has filed a murder complaint against the police, but the French government has almost unanimously sided with the cops, even after facing criticism for waiting more than 48 hours to express condolences or regret over the death of the young activist.

This comes as Tarn residents and environmental activists have been protesting against the deforestation of the dam area for months, with some people staging hunger strikes.

Violence between police forces and protesters, and the use of tear gas by French riot police are quite common in the country.