Penn advises students studying in Paris to avoid protests amid national riots

Last weekend, mass antigovernment protests in France escalated into some of the most destructive riots the country has witnessed in decades

As the unrest spread, a safety alert system issued a public warning to Penn students studying in France. The University currently operates three active semester-long study abroad programs in Paris: Columbia in Paris at Reid Hall, HEC Paris, and the Institute of Political Studies

International SOS — an alert system all University students studying abroad are subscribed to — notified students to “expect disruption nationwide over the coming days” during the “widespread unrest.” 

“Major incidents of looting, arson and clashes with the police occurred in urban centres, including the capital Paris,” the Oct. 18 message read. “The gatherings carry a heightened risk of unrest, with protesters likely to erect roadblocks, set objects alight, throw projectiles and engage in looting.”

In late September, French high school and university students staged a walkout to protest teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and rundown infrastructure. By mid-October, the nation erupted in violent demonstrations over those poor schooling conditions and the rising cost of living, among other grievances

A University spokesperson wrote in a statement that Penn Abroad “reached out to students to check-in” and inform them of available re

“We are continuing to monitor the situation and are in communication with the host universities where our students are studying, who are also keeping us informed of campus operations and whether any of our students are seeking support from their onsite teams,” the spokesperson added

More than half a million demonstrators marched across France last Saturday. The unrest led to almost 2,400 arrests and caused widespread damage to several symbols of the state. Nearly 1,000 police officers were injured, according to France’s interior ministry. 

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The safety alert warned that police officers may use “forceful measures” — such as tear gas and water cannons or baton charges — to “disperse unruly crowds.”

“Leave an area at the first sign of unrest,” the message instructed. “Expect heightened security around gatherings and comply with all official directives.”

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Staff reporter Cathy Sui covers politics and can be reached at sui@thedp.com. At Penn, she studies finance and statistics

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