Protesters receive solidarity support

During the high school protest in Paris on October 13, 2026, parents, students, teachers, and musicians organized solidarity efforts, bringing supplies and support to those participating in the mobilizations.

Music becomes a symbol of the protest

Musicians from the association Orchestre du Nouveau Monde played music from Star Wars, Avengers, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Emmenez-moi by Charles Aznavour, which has become a hymn of the mobilization. Étienne Cognet, a member of the orchestra and a left-wing party member, stated that the group aimed to be the "soundtrack of the revolt" and that ten kilograms of sheet music had been printed and distributed to volunteers.

Students voice concerns about the future

Nour, a 16-year-old first-year student at the Rosa-Parks high school in Saint-Denis, expressed concerns about the future, citing issues such as job displacement by artificial intelligence, the rise of the far right, an uninhabitable planet, and joining the army. She noted that solidarity from teachers, parents, and workers provided comfort.

Solidarity efforts include food and supplies

Solidarity supplies included food and protective materials, with Wissal, a member of the association Parole Vulgaire, distributing sandwiches, "Palestine Cola," and bottles of water. The association, along with Œil au beurre noire and the Popular Committee for Mutual Aid and Solidarity of Aubervilliers, had mobilized for two weeks to supply high school blockades in Seine-Saint-Denis.

Fundraising and community contributions

Their online fundraising exceeded 25,000 euros, and donations were pouring in. The sandwiches were prepared by the restaurant Darna in Montreuil, while the dishes were made by an inhabitant of Ivry. Farmers also contributed produce.

International support for French students

Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, joined the blockade of the Paul-Éluard high school in Saint-Denis and called for support for French students, noting they were facing "extreme police repression" for demanding their "fundamental rights."

University students contribute to the protests

University students also joined the protests, with Anaïs, an architecture student, using a 3D printer to make whistles for protesters. The whistles were used to signal injuries in the crowd.

Mutual aid includes practical resources

Mutual aid efforts included distributing "protest guides" and physiological serum to soothe eyes affected by tear gas. Teachers, including Aline and Aude from the Timbaud high school in Brétigny-sur-Orge, joined the demonstrations, expressing anger at the government's response to student demands.

Protests spread across Europe

The protests found echoes in other European countries, including Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Germany. Wissal from Parole Vulgaire emphasized the need for converging struggles to sustain the mobilization.

Union banners and shared goals

Union banners were present in the streets, with Elvis, a railway worker, expressing hope that the struggle would "expand" and that October 17 was a shared goal. High school students were kept away from Matignon with tear gas and water cannons but continued to dance to the melody of Emmenez-moi.