When Protests Turn Violent: October 17th in France
This Saturday, hundreds of thousands of protesters marched across the country to denounce the rising cost of living and the decline of public services. While most of the demonstrations remained peaceful, some cities unfortunately witnessed scenes of violence and destruction, notably Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Nice.
In Nice, a Micromania store, well-known among video game enthusiasts, became the target of a group of vandals. Pierre, a sales clerk present that day, did not hesitate for a moment. Standing in front of the shattered window, he decided to barricade the entrance to defend this place he knows so well.
A Poignant Moment That Stirred Social Media
The images are striking. Pierre is seen standing in the frame of the broken window next to a poster featuring Son Goku, the iconic hero from Dragon Ball—a near-symbolic presence. One individual approaches to provoke him, but Pierre stands firm. The aggressor turns away, visibly discouraged.
Moments later, the same person returns from behind and delivers a violent blow, causing Pierre to fall forward. Additional projectiles are hurled at him. Despite his determination, Pierre is unable to prevent the looting and the damage that followed.
The video went viral on social media within hours, spreading as far as Spain and Japan. On these platforms, many users praised his courage. Some even likened him to a superhero, the imagery further amplified by the presence of the Goku poster in the background.
Pierre, an Unwilling Hero: “It Was a Mistake”
In an interview with the local media outlet Ici Azur, Pierre humbly reflects on that turbulent day. He admits that he did not fully grasp the risks before standing up to the aggressors. “It was a mistake,” he simply states, refusing to glorify his actions, choosing instead to remain sincere and modest.
What matters most to him is to remind everyone that these violent incidents are marginal. “We must not forget that this is only a minority. For the rest of the protest, things went generally well. There are always a few bad apples, but they do not represent the majority,” he emphasizes firmly.
Since this episode, Pierre has received a wave of support messages. On Monday, many people came to the store to congratulate him in person, shake his hand, and let him know that his action carried real significance.
Sometimes, true courage simply means standing firm when everything is falling apart around you.
