Mayor of Saint-Denis intervenes in Paris student protests

On October 6, 2026, the mayor of Saint-Denis, Bally Bagayoko, was caught on viral video shielding protesting students from police action during ongoing demonstrations in Paris. As part of a wave of student and youth mobilizations that have been ongoing for two weeks in France, clashes erupted between authorities and demonstrators. Bagayoko, a member of the La France Insoumise (LFI) party, positioned himself between the students and police, calling for officers to halt their advance, though he was ultimately exposed to tear gas during the incident.

Speaking to Reuters, Bagayoko stated that he felt compelled to intervene because the police appeared determined to charge at students who had not exhibited aggressive behavior. He characterized the police response as a disproportionate use of force against young people seeking to have their grievances heard. While the mayor has previously faced public scrutiny for separate viral footage showing him near a burning trash bin, he maintains that his actions during this protest were focused on de-escalation and protecting minors who were exercising their right to demonstrate. The mayor has encouraged the youth to continue their peaceful mobilization while avoiding provocations.