(LifeSiteNews) — 400 schools were closed across France on Friday in the wake of violent protests in which high school students set fires, injured teachers, and torched cars.
Reuters reports that the protest movement, initially peaceful, morphed from school blockades into urban violence. The chaos has been particularly intense in Marseilles, Nantes, in the South of France, and in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis.
Members of the left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) have backed the students, even to the extent of taking part in the fracas.
“Ritchy Thibault, a former parliamentary aide to LFI MP Ersilia Soudais, was arrested in Seine-Saint-Denis earlier today during the high school blockades,” explained europa.com.
Thibault declared: “We’re going to attack all the police stations in this country,” “tomorrow we’re going to set the Élysée on fire,” and “we’re going to blow everything up, it’s going to be a blaze.”
🇫🇷 Ritchy Thibault, a former parliamentary aide to LFI MP Ersilia Soudais, was arrested in Seine-Saint-Denis earlier today during the high school blockades.
Thibault declared: “We’re going to attack all the police stations in this country,” “tomorrow we’re going to set the… pic.twitter.com/r3THCJ4DXC
— Europa.com (@europa) October 1, 2026
“Hard-left lawmakers and local mayors have been accused by political opponents of fanning the protest movement by turning up in front of high schools and defending it,” Reuters reports.
“LFI dismissed the charge that it was behind the protests.”
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“LFI has always advocated non-violent demonstrations,” LFI’s Louis Boyard told BFM TV. “The government, by turning it into a political battle, has added fuel to the fire by insulting and repressing high school students.”
Disturbing images of the protests have emerged on social media, showing the world a view of France at odds with its storied culture.
“Apocalypse in France. Numerous schools—and more—are on fire. African and Arab students—also first and second generation ones—incited by far-left criminals, are setting everything on fire,” noted a post by RadioGenoa, showing buildings set ablaze and a fire truck being torched and vandalized.
Apocalypse in France. Numerous schools—and more—are on fire. African and Arab students—also first and second generation ones—incited by far-left criminals, are setting everything on fire. pic.twitter.com/R7RYbbk6Gm
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) October 1, 2026
“Multicultural France is a hell on earth,” declared RadioGenoa in another post, showing video of multiple fires.
Multicultural France is a hell on earth. https://t.co/kWerbkGPkG pic.twitter.com/OLEcL5I06r
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) October 2, 2026
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