France student protests: Misleading videos circulate online

Multiple misleading videos are circulating on social media regarding student protests in France. One video falsely claims that riot police are showing solidarity with protesters by walking alongside them. Fact-checking reveals the footage actually dates back to March 2023 during pension reform protests in Paris, where officers were simply escorting demonstrators to a nearby metro station.

Another video misrepresents the actions of Bally Bagayoko, the mayor of Saint-Denis. The clip is presented as showing the left-wing official setting fire to a trash bin during recent student protests. However, full footage and eyewitness accounts indicate that Bagayoko was actually moving an already burning bin away from a school gate to prevent further danger. Students present at the scene reported that the mayor was attempting to calm the situation and stop the arson attempts.