Following a surge of public outcry over allegations of excessive force, French authorities have officially suspended the use of stun grenades during student-led demonstrations. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed the decision on Wednesday, which comes on the heels of several harrowing incidents, including a 15-year-old losing a hand and a 14-year-old suffering severe facial injuries from police munitions. With over 6,500 arrests made and 18 internal investigations currently underway into police conduct, the government is scrambling to contain the fallout from weeks of unrest.

The wave of protests, which began in late September due to frustrations over teacher shortages and deteriorating school facilities, has escalated significantly, drawing in parents, teachers, and labor unions alongside students. As Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu prepares to address the nation regarding the protests and the state of public finances, President Emmanuel Macron has held emergency meetings to mitigate the crisis. While the government has rejected claims of state-sanctioned repression and condemned the violent clashes, the suspension of these controversial crowd-control weapons marks a significant concession in the face of mounting national tension.