French students are reinvigorating national symbols like the flag, embracing them as representations of a universalist France that belongs to all.
Student demonstrators use national symbols
Student demonstrations in France have seen the reemergence of national symbols previously associated with the left, now being raised as a sign of attachment to a France described as both revolutionary and universalist.Amir's involvement in the movement
According to one report, participants in the demonstrations, including 16-year-old Amir, a first-year high school student who has been involved in all mobilizations since the start of the student movement, have embraced symbols such as the French flag.Amir's perspective on the French flag
Amir, who sometimes carries the French flag during demonstrations, views it as representing a "France of mixed heritage" and the motto "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité." He stated, "We, Gen Z, want to show that France belongs to everyone."Amir's views on national identity
"We are proud of certain values of this country. The flag, we have the right to wave it, France does not belong to a political group. We can have 'origins,' but we were almost all born here. We have the right to claim, we are legitimate to say what is wrong."
