Protests in France: Youth Without Youth

Young protesters have taken to the streets across France for approximately two weeks, demanding increased investment in education and improved future opportunities. The demonstrations have spread beyond French borders, with thousands of mostly young people gathering in Rome, Lisbon, Bergamo, Brussels, and Tirana for protests that have occasionally turned violent. In Paris, smoke has darkened the sky over the city while bengalos illuminate crowds moving through dense traffic. The Monument to the Republic has been draped in a yellow signal vest, and light rockets fire above the square. Many demonstrators wear black clothing, while others don yellow vests or storm hoods. In side streets, trash bins burn and glass shards from smashed car windows litter the asphalt. The movement relies heavily on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram for organization and communication. Participants share meeting points, dates, and demonstration concepts across cities and countries, encouraging one another in comment sections. This digital coordination has drawn criticism from Gabriel Attal, a former French prime minister, who advocated for a temporary social media blackout in regions affected by riots. Speaking to the French radio station RTL, Attal stated that young people at home watch their friends looting via social media, creating an impression that such actions go unpunished. He argued that seeing this online encourages them to join in. However, critics note that such a measure would significantly infringe upon the fundamental rights of residents and protesters, rendering it disproportionate. They argue that while social media can amplify violence, it also serves as a tool for peaceful political mobilization and emancipation. Shutting down internet access is a tactic frequently used by authoritarian states, including Iran and Afghanistan, to suppress protests and control narratives. Simultaneously, the French government has deployed a massive police presence against the demonstrators. Reports indicate increasing instances of severe injuries resulting from police violence. Officers have utilized tear gas, flash grenades, and rubber bullets. One incident resulted in a fifteen-year-old losing a hand due to a police grenade. In Seine-Saint-Denis, described as the poorest department in France, students face deteriorating school conditions. Sofia, a fifteen-year-old student at the Eugene Henaff high school in the suburb of Bagnolet, noted that her school gymnasium is moldy and changing rooms are unusable. She reported widespread teacher shortages, stating she had not seen instructors for certain subjects since starting in September. Sofia expressed anger over the inequality in public sector funding, noting that many friends transferred to schools in Paris because suburban institutions carry a poor reputation. This stigma negatively impacts university applications through the Parcoursup platform, which she believes systematically excludes students from these areas. Her mother, a teacher, supports her participation in the protests. During occupations in Bagnolet, students engaged in activities such as karaoke singing, grilling, and painting banners before police arrived with helmets and tear gas. On one occasion, armored trucks resembling military vehicles were deployed. Sofia recounted being on the metro during major Saturday protests when she learned of widespread tear gas usage. Fearful of the police, she returned home. She observed that the government appears to be waiting until after the autumn holidays in early November, hoping the unrest will subside. Students have issued an open letter demanding a schedule for building repairs, a revision of Parcoursup selection criteria, and greater respect for the right to demonstrate. Sofia emphasized that the narrative focusing on burning trash bins ignores the core demand for educational equality. She rejected characterizations of suburban youth as dangerous or violent, asserting their right to quality education. Coline, a student at Paris 8 University who requested anonymity for safety reasons, joined the movement to support students in Creteil and Saint-Denis. She cited shocking police repression against youths seeking basic resources for dignified learning as the primary trigger for mobilization at her university. Having navigated application processes through Parcoursup and Mon Master herself, she understood the systemic barriers faced by peers. The contrast between military spending and school funding further fuels frustration among participants who feel ignored by authorities.