LA FOULE = MOB
I was on my way to the gym yesterday when I saw some police officers near the local high school. Three flics, to be exact. I wondered why they were there, but asking might take their attention off of something imminent.
Just what, exactly, might be imminent?
I noticed batons and holstered guns. The street was as quiet as it usually is when I pass, three times each week. As I approached the school I noticed a few parents out front and more police officers. And there were a few cardboard signs posted on the walls. One read “Focus on depression. Not immigration.” (In French, of course, but I wasn’t paying attention to the French–only the deeper meaning.)
Passing the school (and more officers, now with shields) I looked up and saw a mob of teenagers approaching. I vaguely recalled recent news about student riots, and remembered our cousin, Clara, a firefighter, had posted a video of a burning firetruck.
It seemed the collective madness had reached our town.
As the mob picked up speed my throat began to tighten. I sensed the imminent: DANGER. This section of the two-way street was a corridor. High walls to the left and right meant there was no way to go but forward, toward the hyped-up students, or backwards in the direction they were headed. Forward it was, into the darkness (most of the students were dressed in black, many in hooded tops).
Suddenly, a motor scooter zoomed recklessly ahead of the crowd, one of the riders waving a large black garbage bag like a Flag of Doom. Was the mob about to charge forward?
I hurried toward the high wall, and considered climbing but instead pressed on until, finally, the mob passed.
A few students trailed behind and my question lingered but I didn’t ask until I reached a parent, farther down.
“Qu’est-ce qui se passe?”
“Haven’t you seen the news?”
What I could not articulate came out in tears, so the mom filled me in: The students are angry about a lack of teachers and other school-related issues.
Ah bon? Really? That is not what it looked like to me. It looked to me like some (not all) of the students, having seen the fiery protests online, took the liberty of the moment as an excuse to be destructive. Or maybe that was my fear talking. In any case, I didn’t see concern on those faces. I saw a giddy, growing, and contagious excitement to be reckless. But I could not imagine they would splash a teacher with gasoline and nearly immolate him!
When I returned home from the gym (I called Jean-Marc and asked him to pick me up), I saw a note from Jackie: “Mom, don’t walk by the high school today,” she warned, all the way from Brooklyn.
“Too late!” I said, telling her and Vin about my run-in with the teenage foule.
This morning on the news I saw footage from the incident, showing the teacher who was trying to help put out a fire… when a student threw gasoline in his face.
Thank God that teacher is okay today.
I thought about the letter I’ve been meaning to send to the local high school in response to a new section internationale américaine. I had been building up the courage to speak about my experience as an American in France (well before the student riots began).
I think I’ll keep my stay-at-home job, where it’s safe, and instead make this a letter of remerciement to all teachers out there. MERCI BEAUCOUP for all you do.
Everybody take care. I’ll be editing my story today, to add something important: a message to students. Here is advice from my grandfather: When you’re around trouble, you’re in it! So please stay away from these types of unruly gatherings. The adrenaline could lead to regrets or worse.
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Kristi, I saw a clip on BFM TV of a chemistry teacher having what looked like gas being thrown at him and then being hit on the head from behind with a hard object. Do you know if he is ok?
Yes, he is ok. He is a teacher from our neighborhood high school. He was trying to save a tree from one of the fires and when he pulled a student away he was attacked.
A frightening experience I’m sure. Happy to hear it passed you by without a bad outcome.
This is so concerning. I understand their complaints, and their needs. There does seem to be some topics to take a long hard reconsideration of within the French school system (wish the US school system would do the same). With that, I agree with you; it seems like a very exaggerated reaction (and a violent one). Do destructive. Luckily so far, here in Arles has not seen the violence that other towns have. Be safe out there everyone!
Kristi, I thought immediately of you & your family when I saw that your town was experiencing student protests and violence.
It must have been frightening for you!
I understand the student–and teacher–concerns, but violence rarely results in positive outcomes.
I’m so glad that you’re ok. I’m sure what you witnessed, heard and read will remain in your memory.
Hugs to you and thanks for this timely post.
As people are held less and less accountable at every level there will be more bad, yes evil, behavior. God has provided the way to reign in our sinful natures but Christ’s sacrifice is not proclaimed and His teachings are being buried under slogans.
Very good article. Thank you for sharing. It seems unrest is everywhere. We do live in hard times. How I miss the early 60s lol. I especially liked your grandfather’s advice. He was a wise man. Stay safe.
Hi Kristi,
I have read that the main complaint is shortage of teachers and support staff. Not enough substitute teachers to fill the shortage. Lack of resources and poor infrastructure. One girl said there are 35 kids in class and not enough chairs and 35 degrees celsius. Not enough toilets, etc.
I understand the frustration but violence is not the way to resolve these issues.
Did you find out exactly why the students were revolting? You just mentioned that one phrase about depression. Curious. Glad you & that teacher are ok. But it seems like the march was more than just against one teacher. Sounds very scary and extremely dangerous.
Thank you for your honesty in reporting this. So often the press both here and abroad are not honest. I believe the students complaints are valid and they have a right to protest but often these public demonstrations are crashed by outside agitators and those tend to be the ones who are bent on destruction. In the US they (the bad protestors) are actually paid and it’s well documented. I sincerely hope and pray that France listens and makes changes. Our country is sadly not listening and our children are paying the price for a lack of education.
When I retired from teaching in 2000, I had 43 students in one class—a language class—and when everyone came there were not enough desks—they had to sit on extra stools! This was in Oregon. I don’t know what it’s like now, but it seems like nothing changes much. Pay scales never keep pace and budgets are always very stretched thin (except for sports!) and more duties are added each year to already overloaded teachers. That said, we have occasional strikes but I have never seen that kind of student violence. Very interesting, and very disturbing.
Our dear Kristi,
First of all:THANK GOD YOU ARE SAFE!! We saw these riots on TV but the enormity of such a situation didn’t truly hit us full force until the well being of someone we hold so dear could’ve been threatened! Oh! What a sad sad comment on the times we now live in!
In our prayers always and arms tight around you.
Love
Natalia xo
I’m so glad you are safe. I remember when there were going to be counter-demonstations in Charlottesville against the white Supremacists brandishing their klan hoods and Tiki torches. Faith leaders asked for public support but warned that the march was expected to be violent. That cued me to stay home. It’s one thing if violence breaks out at a peaceful protest but EXPECTED violence is something I can’t be near. It’s never good or productive. That poor teacher. Overworked teachers are also not the students’ enemy.
How scary. I understand protesting but not throwing gasoline in the teacher’s face. There can be a giddyness in mobs. I saw that it was happening in Toulouse but now more widespread. A few nights ago, an astrologer, Robert Ohotto, was saying October is going to be explosive, and a lot will come together on October 3rd. It seems like France is having some of the same problems as we have in the US. We live in interesting times. May cool heads and wise ideas prevail. Thanks for reporting and of course, please stay safe.
Hi Kristi. Too bad you had to experience this close up. I’ve been paying attention from afar since this began earlier in the week in Cagnes sur Mer (we are not there now). One thing that struck me was many adults are very upset with the students’ behavior, granted violence is not the answer, but yet there seems to be tolerance for les Gilets Jaunes protests that at times turn violent and farmers dumping manure and setting hay on fire in the streets. When adults model that type of behavior they should not be surprised that the kids emulate them. Stay safe.
I am glad to know that you are OK, and I can only imagine how very scared you were. We are in France right now, and saw one small peaceful demonstration in Chartres. I’ve seen many videos on French TV of the demonstrations. In one store where we were buying something we had a conversation with the store owner. Neither she know I could understand why burning and destroying things would advance the cause. There may be provacteurs who are riling up the students.
Thank you very much for sharing this with all of us.
Bonjour, Kristi!
Dis donc, quelle surprise sur la route! Dieu merci; tu as vraiment un bon ange gardien! Et aussi, tu as bien pensé vite. Les étudiants sont très bêtes quelque fois, n’est-ce pas? Il faut qu’ils apprennent manifester sans la violence.
Amitiés,
Joanne
Sad, reading about the student High School riots
What is the section Internationale americaine?
It’s a new American international section at our other local high school, Lycée Lumière. Students follow the French curriculum while studying English-language literature and some history-geography in English. It has just opened for students entering seconde (roughly 10th grade), with the aim of preparing them for the French international baccalaureate.
Thank you for your detailed response, Kristi.
Dear Kristi: Oh, what sad, violent & very depressing times all the world is going through. So very thankful that you are safe & that the teacher is recovering. I think that when young people aren’t listened to by society, they have nowhere to go but to the streets. As far as rioting & breaking into shops & destruction of property, it’s acting out in protest. Granted, there are provocateurs who are brought in to “raise the limits of destruction” & they are well-paid. The situation stinks from the top down. May you & ayour loved ones stay safe always! Amicalmente, Ann
Stay safe Kristi. Mob mentality is very scary. There is never an excuse for violence. My husband and I were supposed to be in France (Paris and Normandy area) on Monday but cancelled because his cataracts that are getting worse. It was sad to cancel the trip, but now, sad to say, I’m glad we’re not there.
Very scary. Glad you are ok.
Please stay safe!
🙏🙏🙏
Violence and bad actors around the world have become increasingly commonplace. It is sad that so many young people have taken that as a cue to solve problems. Voices can be heard without life-altering regrettable actions that affect innocent people. Right now, leaders are being forged for the future. May they have innovative, productive and peaceful ways to make lasting change, and may that become commonplace.
How frightening! That mob mentality can drive otherwise rational people to do terrible things.
I’m sure you’ve noticed the type under the two cute cars…
Oops! “typo”
What a shock this must have been to have such an experience on your doorstep instead of ‘removed’ seeing it on a screen. My prayers are for all teachers everywhere as well as the for younger generations.We need to invest in our teachers who are entrusted with the most precious ‘resource’ we have – our children and our future but if governments prioritise profit and popularity, we only destroy ourselves. We also need to bring our children up to respect teachers and learning and each other. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” — Galatians 5:22-23
Very scary….
I was in Strasbourg yesterday and was surrounded by student protesters! It was mostly peaceful from what I saw.
Oh, what a terrifying experience! I am so glad you made it out of that corridor safely and that Jean-Marc was able to come pick you up. Jackie’s warning coming all the way from Brooklyn just proves how quickly word travels when things turn violent.
Honestly, reading your account makes my blood boil. Those aren’t just kids letting off steam about school funding—that is pure, unadulterated lawlessness and violence. And that sign you mentioned—’Focus on depression. Not immigration’—tells you everything you need to know. It highlights the deeper, unspoken reality of what is happening. They have let far too many unassimilated people in, and the consequences are playing out right in the streets.
When a mob feels emboldened enough to riot, throw gasoline, and terrorize a community, it’s a terrifying sign that traditional French life as you know it is quickly becoming a fleeting memory. At this rate, maybe you should start learning Arabic!
You are entirely right to shift your focus to thanking the teachers who actually show up and try to keep things together, because the fabric of society is fraying fast. Stay safe over there!”