# French Mayor Faces Student Protesters

> French mayor says student protesters could be his children in viral video clash.
- Title: French Mayor Faces Student Protesters · The Straits Times
- Summary: French mayor says student protesters could be his children in viral video clash. French mayor Bally Bagayoko claims student protesters in Paris could be his…
- Keywords: bally bagayoko, sebastien lecornu, french mayor, student protests, paris, saint-denise, lfi, education, police, protesters, news, world
- Source: The Straits Times — https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/french-mayor-caught-in-viral-video-clash-says-student-protesters-could-be-my-children
- Published: 2026-10-07T21:09:23+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: bally bagayoko, sebastien lecornu, french mayor, student protests, paris, saint-denise, lfi, education, police, protesters, news, world
## Viral Video Clash
French mayor Bally Bagayoko stands facing police at Paris march, shielding young protesters and shouting 'stop'.

> stop
## Mayor's Protest Support
Bagayoko supports students in his working-class Parisian suburb, urging police not to charge protesters.
## Police Response
Police fired tear gas at protesters, including the mayor, after students showed no aggression.
## Protest Context
Student protests began in Paris' marginalised suburbs over overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages.
## Mayor's Concerns
Bagayoko says protests are common in Saint-Denis and the government fails to respect working-class equality promises.
## Government Response
Prime Minister Lecornu pledges to review student demands by end of October but gives no details.
## Key takeaway

French mayor Bally Bagayoko claims student protesters in Paris could be his children amid protests over education and inequality.