He denounces the French government’s unworthy silence as thousands take to the streets.

On Tuesday, Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko once again joined protests in Paris in support of students and teachers.

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“I welcome the presence of Greta Thunberg — the Swedish environmental activist and international figure in the fight against climate change — who has come to support the struggle of students at Paul-Eluard High School. Saint-Denis: capital of resistance and the convergence of struggles!” he posted on X.

“Solidarity, climate and social justice, convergence of struggles!” added the La France Insoumise politician, who has visited the school in his city on several occasions since the blockades began, according to the media outlet RTL.

On Tuesday, the demonstrations in Paris drew a surprise turnout of thousands of participants, who marched from two separate gatherings, one originating at Italy Square and the other at City Hall.

Both marches converged at Port-Royal station before ending near Les Invalides, in the heart of Paris and close to numerous government ministries, as well as the National Assembly, where debate on the 2027 budget was scheduled to begin.

Bravo à la jeunesse mobilisée. Vous êtes notre fierté 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/qlVjfFJgHr

— Bally Bagayoko (@BallyBagayoko) October 8, 2026

Mayor Bally Bagayoko’s text reads, “Kudos to the mobilized youth. They are our pride!”

Bagayoko became a political and media icon of the student protests in France after stepping between police and demonstrators. He joined the demonstrations again to denounce the “unworthy” silence of the administration of President Emmanuel Macron.

“I am here to say that enough is enough when it comes to ignoring the voices of the oppressed. I am here to say that the silence with which the government and the president of the republic are trying to manage this situation is unworthy, and that is why there must be so many of us,” he said at the start of the two marches organized in the French capital.

The mayor of Saint-Denis, the most populous and stigmatized city in the Paris suburbs, said the students had his full support and that he would stand with them on the fifth day of strikes and demonstrations to “shout” that “the state must respond.”

“In particular, the president of the republic must respond, but so must the minister of higher education and the minister of national education,” said the mayor, a member of the left-wing party led by Jean-Luc Melenchon.

Asked about the prominence he has gained, including internationally, after images of him stepping between students and police on Oct. 6 went viral, Bagayoko said the “responsibility” he feels is that of a “citizen,” a “father” and an “activist.”

“It is the responsibility of an activist, and that is why I am here, precisely to apply pressure and ensure that people get answers,” the mayor said.

#France — Saint-Denis mayor Bally Bagayoko protects high school students from police violence.

Respect.pic.twitter.com/pTBHr1BX0c

— Antifa_Ultras (@ultras_antifaa) October 6, 2026

Who Is Bally Bagayoko?

Bally Bagayoko became mayor of Saint-Denis in March 2026 after winning 50.77% of the vote in the first round of municipal elections on March 15. He was formally elected by the municipal council on March 21, succeeding Socialist Mayor Mathieu Hanotin.

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.

Bagayoko’s election also marked a milestone in the political representation of residents with immigrant backgrounds in French urban politics.

Born in Levallois-Perret in 1973 to a family of Malian origin, Bagayoko moved to Saint-Denis when he was 2 years old and grew up in a working-class housing estate.

A father of four, he studied urban and suburban studies and geopolitics and began working as a manager at Paris’ public transport operator, RATP, in 2000.

He also developed a longstanding involvement in local sports and community life, playing semiprofessional basketball and coaching a local club. His political career began in 2001, when he joined the team of Communist Mayor Patrick Braouezec.

📢 Près de 480 000 personnes ont manifesté mardi à travers la France pour réclamer davantage de moyens pour l’éducation, selon les syndicats

🚨 Des tensions avec les forces de l’ordre et des blocages d’établissements ont été signalés dans plusieurs villes, notamment à Paris et… pic.twitter.com/vyJ74p5bB0

— Anadolu Français (@anadolufrancais) October 13, 2026

The text reads, “According to unions, nearly 480,000 people demonstrated across France on Tuesday to demand more resources for education. Tensions with law enforcement and blockades of schools were reported in several cities, particularly in Paris and Lyon. The CGT has called for a new national day of strikes and protests on November 5, amidst persistent social tensions.”

He subsequently served as a deputy mayor responsible for communications, youth, sports and employment initiatives, as well as vice president of the Seine-Saint-Denis departmental council.

After an unsuccessful mayoral bid in 2020, when he finished third with around 18% of the vote, he returned to win the 2026 election.

As mayor, Bagayoko has positioned himself as a voice for working-class communities and the diverse population of Seine-Saint-Denis, a department north of Paris that faces persistent socioeconomic inequalities and ongoing debates over policing, public services and discrimination.

His political priorities include tackling exclusion, strengthening investment in disadvantaged neighborhoods and changing approaches to public security while maintaining a response to crime.

His election has also made him a prominent figure in France’s broader debate over racism and representation. After being targeted by racist insults and online abuse, he called for stronger action against discrimination.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – Le Monde – Commune Nouvelle de Saint Denis

Demonstrations entered their fifth consecutive day, with about 200 high schools remaining blockaded.

On Tuesday morning, Greta Thunberg visited the Paul-Eluard High School in Saint-Denis, one of the main centers of student protests in France, before joining demonstrations scheduled for that afternoon in Paris.

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The 23-year-old Swedish climate activist arrived at the school on the outskirts of Paris, where she said she was “extremely proud of French students” who are mobilizing “for their future” and refusing to give up in the face of a society that neglects them.

“Here we can see it: Schools are not receiving the investment they need. This sends young people the message that they are not a priority in their society. And what are we supposed to do? Give up? Of course not. And that is precisely what people here are doing. We are going to fight for our future.”

For the Swedish activist, the mobilization of young people “is a great source of inspiration,” “but it was also something to be expected.”

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has joined French students protesting on the outskirts of Paris about staff shortages and dilapidated schools.

In the capital, high school students are blockading streets as they demand concrete measures to improve conditions.

The government… pic.twitter.com/9m5uPFa8tG

— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) October 13, 2026

“When young people are placed in conditions that are incompatible with basic human rights because there is not enough investment in education, it is obvious that they are going to rebel,” Thunberg said. She added that politicians live “in a completely different reality” from that of younger generations.

Thunberg denounced what she described as the French police’s “extreme violence” against students demonstrating to demand “the absolute bare minimum.” “This says everything about the police and whom they really protect. Law enforcement is supposed to protect young people,” she insisted.

“We are glad that as many people as possible are joining us. This is not about labels or any particular person, but about how many people join the movement,” said Marius Mesnil, co-secretary of the Union Syndicale des Lyceens (USL), an organization that brings together high school students.

Les cortèges de lycéens et étudiants se regroupent place de l'Hôtel de Ville à Paris pic.twitter.com/hPgzZeSKa7

— AB7 Média (@Ab7Media) October 13, 2026

The text reads, “Columns of high school and university students are gathering in the square in front of Paris City Hall.”

In Paris, the main demonstration is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. local time at Italy Square and end at Place des Invalides, near Matignon, where the government headquarters and the Education Ministry are located.

On Tuesday, French students took to the streets for the fifth consecutive day of demonstrations. The protests come as about 200 high schools remain blockaded, according to Education Minister Edouard Geffray.

The student union has called on students to join the protest under the slogan “They don’t listen to us, so we’ll go to them.” Dubbed “Act V,” the demonstration follows four previous days of protests held on Sept. 29 and Oct. 1, 6 and 8.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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