Mélenchon calls student protests most powerful since 1968

French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon called the ongoing student protests the most powerful youth movement since May 1968, while denouncing police repression as "unacceptable." He made the remarks in a video posted Monday, October 5. The movement, which began September 17, has spread across France, with 190 students injured and over 5,000 people, mostly minors, taken into custody. Mélenchon rejected government accusations that his party, La France insoumise, was responsible for urban violence, saying his role is one of mediation and protection. Mélenchon drew parallels to 1968, citing the absence of deaths then due to different police tactics. He called on citizens to act as unarmed intermediaries at protests, wearing white helmets or armbands, as education unions plan further demonstrations Tuesday.