Student injured during protest in Toulouse

On Thursday, October 8, a 20-year-old student named Idriss, who is in his second year of a music degree at Jean-Jaurès, allegedly had his nose broken by a police officer or gendarme who struck him with a baton. The incident occurred during a demonstration organized by a student movement demanding more resources for secondary education.

Protest route and dispersal

The demonstration passed through the Toulouse rectorate and reached the Déodat de Séverac high school, where most of the demonstrators dispersed. However, a group of "50 to 100" individuals refused to comply with police orders, choosing to remain at the location.

Participants describe peaceful intentions

"We wanted to show our disagreement peacefully, we were holding hands and singing in front of the police," Idriss reported. Dalva, Idriss's roommate, who was present that day alongside him, added, "There was a warning. They said that if we did not leave, we would regret it."

Footage shows escalation

Several videos show the subsequent events. A little before 6 p.m., in calm conditions, the police deployed with helmets and visors lowered, facing the demonstrators. Then, there was a charge. With shields, the high school students and university students were pushed and fell on top of each other.

Chaos and injury

A projectile was thrown toward the police, who then increased their aggressiveness - with batons and tear gas - to clear the Déodat de Séverac avenue. In the chaos, the two friends lost sight of each other. Idriss then received a first baton strike to the back of his head. "It was terrifying. I ran backward and turned around..."