Greta Thunberg has now joined the French school protests that have shaken the country since mid-September, describing the youth mobilization as inspiring. At the same time, the protests have in several places descended into violent riots, school fires, and attacks against both police and bystanders.
It was on Tuesday that Greta Thunberg appeared outside Lycée Paul-Éluard high school in Saint-Denis, a suburb north of Paris. There, hundreds of youths demonstrated against “lack of resources” and “worsening conditions” in the French school system.
The Swedish climate activist took a clear stance for the demonstrators, describing their mobilization as an inspiration for young people in other countries.
“We are inspired by the young people demanding their basic rights,” Thunberg told journalists, according to Reuters.
She also linked the protests to the climate crisis and social injustices, saying that youths must act because the adult world is not taking responsibility for the future.
READ MORE: France burns – but media only see ‘school protests’
What has happened
The protests began in mid-September and have since spread to a large number of French cities. Students have blocked school entrances, set fire to trash bins, and clashed with police. In other cases, school buildings have been vandalized and set on fire.
The violence has in several cases been directed towards school staff trying to keep operations running. For example, one principal was assaulted after masked youths broke into a school.
Threats and harassment have also on several occasions targeted school leaders on social media when they tried to resume teaching, and France’s education minister has emphasized that the violence is unacceptable.
READ MORE: Students Set Fire to Schools in France
Firefighter Set Ablaze
Samnytt has previously reported on how a firefighter was set on fire while trying to handle a burning object.
Images and video clips also circulated on social media showing demonstrators laughing as the firefighter was hit by the flames from the burning objects.
READ MORE: ‘French’ Students Demand Better Schools – Firefighter Set Ablaze During Protests
Young second and third-generation migrants film a French firefighter after setting him on fire during the school protests in Bordeaux
???????? https://t.co/QbJmDzyxbn
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 2, 2026
Woman Burned in the Face
Another case reported by Samnytt involves a 15-year-old boy who aimed a burning spray can at the face of a 40-year-old woman who tried to stop youths from vandalizing a bus shelter.
The suspected 15-year-old reportedly walked straight up to her with the flamethrower.
“I did not expect such violence. He didn’t aim at my clothes or legs. He aimed at my face. Why, she asks,” she told BFMTV.
VIDEO: 15-year-old Burns Woman in the Face With Flamethrower – Now Arrested
Marseille: une femme brûlée au visage par un émeutier d’extrême-gauche cagoulé qui s’est servi d’un spray comme d’un lance-flammes
https://t.co/O3K9RNewWy https://t.co/4TPK5Zmuws— Fdesouche.com est une revue de presse (@F_Desouche) October 1, 2026
The Violence is Spreading
The riots have now spread to neighboring Belgium, with the city of Liège in particular hit by extensive violence in connection with student demonstrations.
In early October, hundreds of youths gathered to protest education reforms and cuts. On several occasions, the protests turned into riots with smashed shop windows, burning trash bins and e-scooters, and attacks on the police.
According to Belgian The Brussels Times, the police and emergency services were forced to intervene in Liège on October 6 after youths broke windows at a school, set objects on fire, and threw firecrackers. The police used tear gas to disperse the crowds.
READ MORE: Continued Riots in France – Have Spread to Belgium
@gretthunberg Swedish Activist Supports French Student Protests