18.10.2026 20:50
The symbol of the Yellow Vests movement, which began in France against the high cost of living, has this time moved to the center of protests against police interventions. Demonstrators filling the Place de la République in Paris dressed the Marianne statue in a yellow vest reading “2026, police are crippling high school students.” Protesters reacting to serious injuries during student demonstrations reopened the debate on security forces’ intervention methods.
In France, reactions to the cost of living, fuel price hikes and police interventions spilled onto the streets. In Paris, protesters who gathered at Place de la République dressed the Marianne statue, a symbol of the French Republic, in a giant yellow vest bearing the words “2026, police are maiming high school students.” Across the country, student actions grew with the participation of trade unions and the Yellow Vests movement.
THEY DRESSED THE MARIANNE STATUE IN A YELLOW VEST
At the demonstrations held in France’s capital, Paris, on October 17, the Marianne statue at Place de la République was the scene of a striking protest. Two protesters climbed onto the monument and placed a large yellow vest on it.
The vest bore the French phrase “2026, la police mutile les lycéens.” The message, meaning “2026, police are maiming high school students,” expressed outrage over serious injuries during student protests and the intervention methods of security forces.
The yellow vest placed on the Marianne statue, a symbol of the French Republic, became one of the symbolic images of the protests.
REACTION TO THE COST OF LIVING AND FUEL PRICE HIKES
The Yellow Vests movement, which began in France in 2018 in reaction to increases in fuel taxes and the cost of living, came to the fore again years later with large-scale demonstrations.
The October 17 actions were joined by high school and university students as well as farmers, trade unions, climate activists and groups from various segments of society. Improving educational conditions and addressing the lack of resources and staff in schools were also among the prominent demands of the protests.
Dressing the Marianne statue in the vest that is the symbol of the Yellow Vests movement brought together, in the same symbol, the protests that began against economic problems and the students’ reactions to police interventions.
THE SERIOUS INJURIES OF TWO STUDENTS DREW REACTION
Behind the message on the statue lie two serious injuries that occurred during student demonstrations in recent weeks.
It was reported that a 16-year-old high school student lost vision in his right eye during an action held in the city of Tours on September 30. While it was assessed that the injury may be linked to an LBD-type defense projectile, an investigation into the incident was launched.
In the city of Lens, on October 5, a 15-year-old student lost his left hand as a result of a grenade explosion. An investigation was also opened into the incident. The circumstances in which the explosion occurred and the condition of the ammunition used became a matter of debate.
The message on the vest placed on the Marianne statue, following these events, carried criticisms of police interventions to one of the capital’s most famous squares.
TENSION BETWEEN POLICE AND PROTESTERS IN PARIS
Tension occurred between protesters and security forces around Place de la République. According to reports in the French press, police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd. It was reported that some protesters responded with fireworks and various objects.
The demonstrations were not limited to Paris. Actions were also held in cities such as Lyon, Marseille, Rennes and Lille. The protests that began across the country against the cost of living turned into a broader social reaction amid debates over education policies and police interventions.
THE SYMBOL OF THE REPUBLIC AT THE CENTER OF THE PROTEST
The Marianne figure atop the Monument to the Republic, inaugurated in 1883, represents the French Republic. On the monument’s pedestal are figures symbolizing liberty, equality and fraternity, which are counted among the country’s fundamental values.
This time, dressing the Marianne statue in the symbol of the Yellow Vests movement enabled the protesters to convey their message about economic problems and police interventions through one of the symbols of the Republic.