A BABY has been struck by a firework as cops fire tear gas and launch water cannons in escalating violence across France.



Some 450,000 protesters took to the streets today – with 190 demonstrators already injured and some 6,000 arrested.


Fireworks exploding at the feet of police officers during the mass protests Credit: Reuters

Protesters throw stones towards riot police Credit: AFP

A demonstrator swings a flare as French high school in Strasbourg today Credit: Reuters

Fireworks rain down on riot cops in Lyon amid the protests Credit: Reuters


Buildings have been set ablaze, streets blockaded and facilities ransacked as teens clash with cops during spiralling riots over school conditions.



In the latest spate of violence, a pupil allegedly fired a rocket at a pram – and struck a one-year-old baby.


			
							
											
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The infant has been rushed to hospital with tinnitus after the terrifying incident outside Saint-Cyr-l’École school in the suburbs of Paris.



A high school student has been arrested for the alleged attack outside the barricaded school.
		

		


The mass protests have led to the closures of 2,000 schools, unions say.



Around 100,000 protesters marched through Paris this afternoon, according to union organisers.



Another 350,000 have taken to the streets oustide the capital, sweeping across France from Lille and Rennes to Marseille and Toulouse. 



The first wave of protests took place from about 10am local time with shocking footage showing armed riot police pushing protesters away from a road barricade in Paris.

		
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Water canons and tear gas are being used by cops Credit: AP

Smoke billowing from a blazing protest site in Lyon Credit: Reuters

Riot police use a water cannon as they face students in Rennes Credit: AP

Students have set bins alight amid the protests Credit: Shutterstock Editorial


Protesters were seen locking their arms to form a wall while setting up bins and rubbish to blockade the street.



Since the disorder began on September 21 police have arrested 6,100 people.



Of those detained, around 80 per cent have been children.



Cops said: “Faced with these unacceptable acts, the judicial authorities are fully mobilised to provide a swift and firm criminal response to those responsible.”



The violence appeared to escalate to new heights on Monday as one student had his hand blown off by an explosive.



The mayor of Saint-Denis, one of the worst affected neighbourhoods five miles from central Paris, said he was “worried” about what could unfold today.



Bally Bagayoko told French radio network RTL: “The urgent need today is for de-escalation.”



The latest round of demonstrations come after organisers called for a nationwide day of action to support further school investment.


Protesters burn items during the riots this morning Credit: AFP

Fires have been sparked and streets blockaded


The Union Syndicale Lycéenne (USL), a major organiser of the protests, blasted the “political deadlock and what we describe as unprecedented repression of the movement”.



This morning, protest bosses said more than 50 universities were blocked and 90 per cent were disrupted. 



Waves of demonstrations kicked off in September in Paris but they have since swept across the nation.



Students have protested a range of issues, including overcrowded classrooms, run-down buildings, and a lack of teachers.


Left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) MP Louis Boyard (C) delivers a speech surrounded by students this morning Credit: AFP

Armed cops have been deployed to tackle the protests Credit: Reuters


Schoolkids initially started the protests before university students joined in.



Pupils claim dilapidated classrooms are overrun by rats and cockroaches and school supplies were running out due to a lack of government funding.



What started as a peaceful protest quickly spiralled into a nationwide crisis – with Paris and Marseille bearing the brunt of the violence.



The boy who had his hand blown off on Monday attended Behal high school and also suffered injuries to his arm, according to local outlet La Voix du Nord.



Yesterday morning teachers and pupils were left trapped inside a burning building after thugs allegedly set fire to a school in Paris.



Horrifying footage showed fiery red flames licking at the entrance to the Vauquelin High School, whose windows were smashed and shattered.



Around 100 pupils had to be saved – but firefighters were allegedly pelted with fireworks while carrying out the rescue mission.



Headteacher Carole Zerbib alleged a mob of “very determined” boys in hoods and masks tried to break into the school before setting it on fire.



She said the alleged attack lasted between 15 and 20 minutes, adding “it was very violent and happened very quickly”.



Terrifying footage has also shown hordes of young teens swarming the streets – with some launching fireworks at riot police trying to contain them.



In one astonishing clip a mob of boys chased down a policewoman and kicked her to the ground in a daylight ambush.



Teachers have allegedly been doused in petrol and set alight as school buildings are ransacked and set on fire by rampaging teens.



The French hard-Left have been accused of stirring up the protests and encouraging students to take action.





	

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