Bally Bagayoko becomes face of French student protests

Bally Bagayoko, the 53-year-old mayor of Saint-Denis-Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, has emerged as a prominent figure in France’s ongoing student-led protests. He gained widespread attention after viral footage from an October 6, 2026, demonstration in Paris showed him physically shielding young protesters from riot police.

In the video, Bagayoko, dressed in a grey suit and lavender tie, spread his arms to block advancing officers and shouted “Stop!” before being exposed to police tear gas. The imagery has led social media users to dub him “Spider-Man,” a nickname that has turned him into a symbol of defiance amidst nationwide demonstrations concerning education, inequality, and the cost of living.

Bagayoko, a member of the France Unbowed party, grew up in a housing project in a Malian immigrant family. While supporters view his actions as a protective gesture for youth, political opponents have criticized him for encouraging confrontational behavior. The protests come at a time of increased pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government ahead of the 2027 presidential election.