Sixteen high schools in Paris were blocked on Thursday morning local media reported, by students protesting against police violence.
Barricades of bins, some lit on fire, prevented students from entering their schools.
Protesters also put up signs at the school entrances condemning police brutality.
“I think that they are right to rise up,” said a young woman who refused to be indentified, in front of Maurice Ravel high school in southeastern Paris.
“We are here to condemn state-sponsored violence and make it stop,” a hooded young man said in front of Paul Valery high school in southeastern Paris.
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After blockading their high schools, protesters marched and gathered at La Nation square, some carrying signs and banners condemning police brutality.
The school blockades were sparked by an incident earlier this month in a Paris suburb, in which a 22-year-old young black man named Theo was allegedly brutalised by police officers during his arrest.
An unauthorised demonstration was organized at Place de la Nation in Paris later on Thursday, also to protest against police brutality.
A few weeks ago, violent clashes between young people and the police erupted in the suburb of Bobigny. Similar protests took place in Aulnay-sous-bois where Theo was arrested.
President Francois Hollande visited Theo in hospital on Feb. 11 to show support.
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