New Delhi: Bally Bagayoko, mayor of Saint Denis, was tear-gassed while protecting protesting students in Paris from riot police. Across France, students are protesting the lack of investment in public schools. The demonstrations escalated on 6 October after tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding better funding and improved school conditions.
Bagayoko is a member of the left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) and had joined the protest in Paris on Tuesday. Videos online show the mayor standing between protesters and police personnel as the latter deploys tear gas against the crowd. The 53-year-old was affected by the gas himself and was later seen receiving saline solution to relieve irritation in his eyes.
Bagayoko subsequently called for de-escalation. He warned that the police deployment could worsen tensions. He urged President Emmanuel Macron and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to open negotiations with student organisations.
He had become a prominent figure in the nationwide student protests just days before. Bagayoko has openly backed the students who are protesting the overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, inadequate school facilities and a lack of support staff.
His support for students has drawn criticism from French authorities. Police officials also accused him of contributing to the unrest, while a report was filed with prosecutors alleging that he may have encouraged offences during the protests.
Bagayoko was previously pictured near a burning bin outside a school in Saint-Denis, with some clips showing him dancing with the gathered students. The footage circulated as evidence that he supported or encouraged the unrest, reported RTL.
Bagayoko rejected allegations that he supported or encouraged the unrest. He said that the video had been edited and did not show the full context. He added that he had tried to put out the fire and move burning debris away from the school to protect students. A student also told French media that Bagayoko had asked protesters to stop the fire.
On Tuesday, he again joined the protesters in Paris — this time ending up on the receiving end of the tear gas being used by police.