France: Students face off with police at University blockade

May 12

02:50 2018

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Clashes erupted between students on strike from Nanterre University (Paris X) and the police in Arcueil on Friday, after protesters tried to block students from taking their exams and break a three-week student strike.

Police officials stand alert near an examination hall in Arcuil, on the outskirts of Paris on May 11, 2018. (AFP)

Scores of students gathered to block the entrance to the exams, as the university relocated the procedure to Arcueil, following a three-week strike at the university.

Footage shows police spraying pepper spray directly at student's faces and using force to remove students from the premises.

According to the protesters, the conduct of the exams is equivalent to breaking a strike.

The students have closed down the university in protest against tighter university admission rules introduced with the new bill (ORE) voted in by Emmanuel Macron's administration.

Nationwide strikes started after the March 8 law and students are conducting blockades and sit-ins in universities all across the country. They demand the repeal of the contested bill, which predicts an even more conditional entry at universities.

Source: Ruptly