Demonstrators report police violence in Paris

On 17 October, thousands of demonstrators in Paris faced unprovoked violence from law enforcement, leaving many injured. Iman, a law student, described being struck with batons on the ribs after being hit by a tear gas grenade, while Fred recounted being struck without reason near a homeless man who also suffered blows. A video shared by Bondy blog showed police charging with flashballs, followed by beatings.

Musicians and protesters targeted with tear gas

At Place de la République, the Orchestre du Nouveau Monde, a group of around 500 musicians, was unexpectedly attacked with tear gas grenades at midday. Later in the day, a street medic was dragged across the ground by police and left unconscious, requiring help from firefighters. This incident was later detailed by Loopsider.

Protesters chant "ACAB" against police

The scenes of police violence have intensified existing anger among mobilized youth, leading to the frequent chanting of "ACAB," which stands for "All Cops Are Bastards." This slogan, rooted in British working-class culture, has been adopted by various protest movements and now reflects a broader rejection of the police institution itself.

Interior Ministry accused of encouraging arrests

Accusations of police violence have risen since the start of the student protests. An investigation by Canard enchaîné published on 13 October suggested that the Ministry of the Interior had instructed police to increase arrests to halt the student movement. A cited police commissioner admitted the goal was to scare students and their parents into stopping the protests.

Interior Minister backs use of intermediate weapons

On 16 October, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez publicly supported the use of all intermediate weapons, including tear gas grenades and rubber bullets. According to a report from 13 October, the IGPN had opened 36 investigations since the start of the movement, including four related to suspected severe injuries.

Violence leads to serious injuries and deaths

The 17 October mobilization saw clashes in multiple cities, with public buildings and shops attacked, while other demonstrations remained peaceful. According to a report by the Interior Ministry on 18 October, 2,397 people were arrested nationwide. Serious injuries were also reported, including a 17-year-old who lost his hand due to a grenade in Saint-Étienne, and a protester who died in Paris after a fainting spell.