A 17-Year-Old Protests Over His School's Rats and Staff Shortages, and Condemns Violence on Both Sides
Ilhan Najisi says images of violence hide demands he calls completely legitimate.
Reuters World News · Gen Z protests, Oleshky and a possible Democratic CongressIlhan Najisi is 17 and attends school in a Paris suburb. He has been protesting over what he calls "deplorable conditions" at his school, including shortages of staff and rats in the building.
His protest has come during wider demonstrations in France that have at times turned violent. Shops across the country numbering in the thousands have been hit by damage or theft in recent weeks, with officers answering with stun grenades and high-pressure water trucks.
Najisi says he condemns police violence and looting.
He says scenes of unrest conceal calls that are, in his words, "completely legitimate."
Questions people ask
Why are rats and staff shortages such a powerful symbol for protesters?
Rats signal that basic maintenance and hygiene have broken down, which parents and students can see for themselves. Staff shortages mean canceled classes, crowded rooms, and less help for students who are struggling. Together, they make an abstract complaint about education spending feel concrete and urgent.
What are stun grenades and water cannon, and why do police use them?
Stun grenades are devices that produce a loud bang and bright flash to disorient crowds, while water cannon are trucks that spray high pressure water to push people back. French police use them for riot control when protests turn destructive. Both can cause injuries, which is why their use is often controversial.