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French Mayor Bally Bagayoko Joins Student Protests Against Education Policies
Confirmed
In Short: Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko joined student protests in Paris on Tuesday, supporting the youth-led movement against education policies.
Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko joined student protests in Paris on Tuesday, supporting the youth-led movement against education policies.
According to unions, nearly 480,000 people demonstrated across France on Tuesday to demand more resources for education, with tensions reported between protesters and law enforcement.
Bagayoko told Pedestrian TV, 'They had decided to charge and effectively go after the students, many of whom had shown no aggressive behavior whatsoever toward the police officers.'
The protests began in Paris’s suburbs in mid-September and have since spread nationwide, with demands for better classrooms and accountability over how students have been treated.
In one case, a 15-year-old student lost his hand and part of his lower arm after picking up a police dispersal grenade in the town of Lens, as reported by La Voix du Nord.
Another investigation is examining the case of a 16-year-old who suffered an eye injury after police fired rubber bullets into a crowd of protesters.
The protests have put pressure on the French government, which is trying to narrow a budget deficit amid growing investor concerns about state finances.
France’s Justice Ministry reported that 5,060 people have been arrested since the protests began, with 87% of them minors.
Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon told CNews television, 'Our priority is to restore order.'
In India, a youth-led movement is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a nationwide revision of voter lists.
Meanwhile, in the United States, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani demanded an end to ICE enforcement after a federal agent shot an illegal immigrant, sparking protests and confrontations with law enforcement.
Mamdani expressed outrage and urged the release of body camera footage to establish the facts.
What this adds
The protests in France have intensified pressure on the government to address budget deficits and improve education resources.
What's confirmed
- Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko joined student protests in Paris on Tuesday, supporting the youth-led movement against education policies.
- According to unions, nearly 480,000 people demonstrated across France on Tuesday to demand more resources for education, with tensions reported between protesters and law enforcement.
- The protests began in Paris’s suburbs in mid-September and have since spread nationwide, with demands for better classrooms and accountability over how students have been treated.
- In one case, a 15-year-old student lost his hand and part of his lower arm after picking up a police dispersal grenade in the town of Lens, as reported by La Voix du Nord.
- Another investigation is examining the case of a 16-year-old who suffered an eye injury after police fired rubber bullets into a crowd of protesters.
- The protests have put pressure on the French government, which is trying to narrow a budget deficit amid growing investor concerns about state finances.
- France’s Justice Ministry reported that 5,060 people have been arrested since the protests began, with 87% of them minors.
- In India, a youth-led movement is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a nationwide revision of voter lists.
- Meanwhile, in the United States, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani demanded an end to ICE enforcement after a federal agent shot an illegal immigrant, sparking protests and confrontations with law enforcement.
- Mamdani expressed outrage and urged the release of body camera footage to establish the facts.
What's still developing
- His victory was a significant breakthrough for LFI, giving the party control of one of the largest cities in the Paris region and strengthening its position ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election.
- He was formally elected by the municipal council on March 21, succeeding Socialist Mayor Mathieu Hanotin.
- "All they do is terrorize this city," the mayor said of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- Later Thursday night, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the man as a 28-year-old and said a 5-year-old boy believed to be his son was inside the vehicle with him during the shooting.
- "ICE officers immediately rendered aid. The individual is alive and at a local hospital. The FBI and HSI are on the scene. The incident remains under investigation. More information will be shared as it becomes available," DHS said in a statement.
- "Today's shooting is only further devastating confirmation of what we have long known," the mayor said.
- EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- As the NYPD prepares for large demonstrations outside the United Nations during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his priority is public safety and keeping the city moving, rather than participating in protests.
- "It has become harder and harder to wake up every morning and see more and more Palestinians massacred with our tax dollars!"
- "If someone should be arrested, it's Mayor Mamdani for inciting, for actually collaborating with the enemies of the United States."
- "Well, you know, I think that as the mayor, I want to make it clear what I believe, and I also have to deliver on my responsibilities," he said.
- Friday, September 18, 2026 · 1:04 AM ET In Short: Israel's UN ambassador wants New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani arrested over planned protests against PM Netanyahu's visit.
- Mamdani's desire to arrest Netanyahu stems from planned protests against the Israeli leader's visit.