Hundreds of schoolchildren are taking part in protests on the streets of French cities. They are speaking out against overloaded schedules, a shortage of teachers, and other problems in the education system. More than 200 schools have been affected by the unrest, 164 people have been detained, and 20 have been injured, according to the BFM TV channel.
But not all officials are sitting it out in their offices. For example, the mayor of Saint-Denis took part in the school unrest. He is smiling and dancing next to protesting high school students by a blazing trash bin while the young people sabotage the work of the lycée. The mayor himself claimed he was trying to put out the fire and help the firefighters.
Local residents were outraged by his dancing by the burning bin; the video sparked a wave of criticism. But such is the mayor — such is the order.