A French Mayor Has Become A Hero Of The Student Protests
- 9.10.2026, 12:46
He shielded the protesters from the police with his body.
The mayor of the French city of Saint-Denis , Balli Bagayoko , stood between the police and participants in the student protests that swept through schools across France. His actions drew widespread attention and made him one of the leading figures of the protest movement, according to The New York Times.
This week, when police attempted to disperse the demonstrators, Bagayoko shielded the high school students with his body and demanded that the officers back off. “Stop! Go away!” he shouted, waving his arms at the police.
However, his support for the protesters has also drawn criticism. Right-wing and centrist politicians accuse the mayor of fueling tensions. The Paris police have asked the prosecutor’s office to consider opening a case against Bagayoko due to his statements about the acceptability of violence in response to the actions of law enforcement.
“Violence may be justified at a certain moment, but every time we manage to avoid it, we are doing the right thing,” the mayor said at one of the rallies.
On Thursday, protests swept the country once again. According to the French Ministry of the Interior, approximately 71,500 people took to the streets, 504 people were detained, and 48 police officers and gendarmes were injured. In several cities, the demonstrations were accompanied by arson and attacks on police stations.
Protesters are demanding better conditions in schools, a solution to the teacher shortage, building repairs, and a review of the university admissions system.
Bagayoko also called on French President Emmanuel Macron to apologize to the families of the injured students. “This doesn’t require billions; a little humanity is enough,” he said.
The mayor of Saint-Denis, who was elected in March with 51% of the vote, claims he intervened because he feared for the safety of the young protesters. According to him, the presence of a recognizable politician helped restrain the police.