French Game Store Worker Pierre Gains Attention for Standing Up to Rioters During Protests

France experienced some of its most intense rioting in years over the weekend, sparked by ongoing protests related to a cost of living crisis. In Nice, a game store employee named Pierre gained attention for his bold attempt to fend off rioters outside a damaged Micromania.

A video circulating on social media captured Pierre standing in the shop’s doorway next to a Goku poster from Dragon Ball Z. He briefly stepped out to confront the chaos, only to be unexpectedly struck from behind by an aerial kick, leaving onlookers stunned. Undeterred, he got back up and resumed his position at the entrance, where someone returned his glasses to him.

In an interview with a local radio station, Pierre reflected on his actions, admitting they were impulsive. “I can’t seem to intellectualize what happened. Maybe that will come later,” he stated. “I think I shouldn’t have done it in the first place. It was stupid. But at the time, that’s what I did.”

The protests have been escalating since last month, fueled by frustrations over poor school conditions and rising inflation. Tensions have intensified due to the government’s push for an austerity bill that would further reduce social services. Over the weekend, around 800,000 protesters took to the streets, with rioters vandalizing approximately 1,500 shops. France’s interior minister acknowledged that police were caught off guard, while Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu urged cities like Marseille to implement curfews.

Despite the chaos, Pierre expressed a more nuanced view of the protests. “We mustn’t forget that this is still a minority in terms of attitude,” he remarked about the rioters. “For the rest of the procession, things went rather well. There are a few bad apples, but they’re not the majority.”

Other gaming shops across France also faced vandalism. A store on Boulevard Voltaire in Paris reportedly lost its entire collection of retro games, raising concerns about its future. Trading card shops from the chain Le Coin des Barons were similarly affected, with one viral video showing a street littered with Pokémon cards.

In total, around 2,000 individuals were arrested amid the unrest. French President Emmanuel Macron stated, “Those who destroyed must pay. Those who looted must pay back. Those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable.” However, he also indicated a willingness to engage with protesters this week to explore concrete solutions to the nation’s grievances.