French politician calls out Victor Wembanyama for supporting, encouraging French protestors

Nice mayor Ciotti criticised Victor Wembanyama for supporting France’s protest movement, saying public figures who backed the 17 October demonstrations bore responsibility for encouraging unrest. The dispute highlights how a campaign that began with calls to improve school conditions broadened into opposition to government spending cuts and included violent disorder.

Wembanyama had said he supported young people making their voices heard and hoped national leaders would listen; before the nationwide demonstrations, he posted an unexplained image that some interpreted as a reference to them. An estimated 550,000 to 800,000 people joined demonstrations on 17 October, with rioting, clashes with police, fires, damage to public buildings and looting reported in several cities. He has not publicly commented since the violence, according to the article.