Protesting abuse by police, teens block schools in Paris

Paris teenagers have blockaded 16 high schools in the city with burning garbage cans and makeshift barricades to protest the alleged rape of a young black man with

Paris teenagers have blockaded 16 high schools in the city with burning garbage cans and makeshift barricades to protest the alleged rape of a young black man with a police baton and other police abuse.

People hold a banner reading ‘Revenge for Theo’ during a protest against police brutality in Paris on Thursday. (AFP)

A crowd of protesting students, some hooded and carrying flares, also marched on the Place de la Nation in eastern Paris on Thursday.

Images on social networks showed some carrying a banner reading “Vengeance for Theo,” the name of the alleged victim.

A man throws a projectile at riot police during a protest by students against police brutality in Paris on Thursday. (AFP)

A Paris school district spokesman said extra security measures were taken after 16 of the region’s 103 high schools were blocked on Thursday, and 12 others otherwise disrupted.

The Paris police headquarters said officers were monitoring the situation but reported no arrests.

Four officers have been charged in the suspected violence against Theo last month, which prompted violent protests in poor suburbs around Paris.