Students in France are being depicted on social media as treating the country's back-to-school sales as a nationwide clearance event, with one viral video showing what appears to be a chaotic scene in Paris where merchandise is being taken without payment.
The video, posted by Wall Street Mav, an account with 1.7 million followers, shows a crowd of young people inside what looks like a retail store, with some individuals grabbing items and moving toward the exits. The caption reads: "French students are enjoying the 'back to school' sales at the local stores in Paris. 100% off on everything."
The post is a sarcastic commentary on the widespread looting and disorder that has accompanied student-led protests across France. The video transcript, which appears to be audio from the scene, captures a voice repeating a phrase in French that sounds like "Do you want to keep walking like magic birds?" – a nonsensical or possibly mocking chant that has become associated with the protests.
The post was quickly picked up by other conservative and right-leaning accounts, who used it to criticize the French government and the broader unrest. The video has been shared widely, with many commenters expressing outrage at the lawlessness and mocking the idea of a "sale" where everything is free.
The unrest in France has been building for days, with student-led protests over living standards and education funding turning increasingly violent. According to Al Jazeera, the demonstrations have united students and "yellow vest" supporters, exposing deeper anger over living standards. The same outlet reports that some 1,800 people have been arrested and hundreds injured during nationwide demonstrations attended by hundreds of thousands.
The video posted by Wall Street Mav appears to show one of the many incidents of looting that have occurred during the chaos. While the exact location and timing of the video are not clear, the caption indicates it was taken in Paris during the back-to-school sales period. The video shows a large group of people, mostly young, inside a store that appears to have been ransacked. Shelves are empty, and people are seen carrying armfuls of merchandise.
The phrase "100% off" has become a dark joke among conservatives, who see the looting as a symptom of a broader breakdown in law and order. The post has been shared by other accounts, including those with large followings, who have used it to argue that the situation in France is out of control.
The protests themselves have been described as a "wider political crisis" by Al Jazeera, which notes that the demonstrations have exposed deeper anger over living standards. The outlet reports that the protests have united students and "yellow vest" supporters, a movement that began in 2018 over fuel taxes and has since become a broader anti-government movement.
The video's audio, while difficult to decipher, seems to capture the chaotic atmosphere of the scene. The repeated phrase "Do you want to keep walking like magic birds?" is likely a chant or slogan used by the protesters, though its meaning is unclear. It may be a reference to a French slang term or a mocking taunt directed at authorities.
The post by Wall Street Mav is just one of many social media reactions to the unrest. Other accounts have posted videos of burning cars, clashes with police, and looted stores. The reaction has been swift and widespread, with many conservatives pointing to the chaos as evidence of the failure of left-wing policies in France.
Next News Network could not independently verify the video or the claim that it depicts looting during the back-to-school sales. The video has not been verified by any news organization, and the identity of the person who filmed it is unknown.
The unrest in France has become a flashpoint for political debate, with conservatives using the images of chaos to argue for stronger law enforcement and border controls. The video posted by Wall Street Mav has become a symbol of that argument, with many commenters expressing disbelief at the scenes of lawlessness.
The French government has not commented on the specific video, but has condemned the violence and vowed to restore order. The protests are ongoing, and it is unclear how they will be resolved. For now, the images of "100% off" sales in Paris have become a viral sensation, capturing the attention of millions and fueling a broader debate about the state of French society.
Our Take
The video posted by Wall Street Mav is a damning indictment of the chaos that has engulfed France. While the mainstream media tries to frame the protests as a legitimate expression of anger over living standards, the reality is that they have devolved into lawlessness. The sight of young people ransacking stores and treating looting as a joke is a symptom of a deeper cultural and political crisis. The French government's failure to maintain order is a warning to all Western nations: when you tolerate disorder, you get more of it. The conservative reaction to this video is entirely justified. The looters are not protesters; they are criminals, and they should be treated as such.
