Mayor of Saint-Denis struck by tear gas during student protests in Paris

On October 7, 2026, the mayor of Saint-Denis, Bally Bagayoko, was struck by tear gas while attempting to de-escalate a confrontation between students and police in Paris. Bagayoko positioned himself as a human shield between the protesting minors and law enforcement officers, attempting to prevent the use of force. Videos circulated on social media show the mayor standing in the middle of the confrontation as tear gas filled the air.

Following the incident, Bagayoko, who is of Malian descent, condemned the police tactics as a disproportionate use of force against youth seeking to be heard. He issued a statement supporting the legitimacy of the students' demands while urging them to maintain peaceful conduct and avoid further provocations. This event comes shortly after the mayor faced public criticism for a separate incident involving a video of him dancing near a burning trash bin.

The incident highlights the escalating tensions in France as local authorities struggle to manage ongoing demonstrations. While the situation remains volatile, no further legal actions or follow-up investigations regarding this specific interaction have been officially announced at this stage.