France (MNN) — Violence has overshadowed the original concerns behind the protests in France. Weekend demonstrations on October 17–18 involved looting, arson, and graffiti on national monuments, as hundreds of thousands of people across France marched.

“Some cities had very peaceful riots on the street. But in some other cities, the violence was taking over the real issues, and sadly, that’s been taking over everything,” says Anna Mosimi, who serves with France’s PHARE FM radio ministry, a partner of TWR.

The protests started in mid-September when students at one Paris school drew attention to the poor conditions of education in France. People with other concerns on their mind soon joined in.

“Everyone was like, ‘Hey, I also have something to say. There is also an issue here, and there’s an issue here,” says Mosimi. (More on that in our October 8 report.)

While political leaders are reluctant to link France’s unrest to immigration, hardline nationalists are using the turmoil to advance their agendas. But it’s more complicated than that, according to Mosimi. She says immigrant and Muslim communities are shouldering the blame for influencing the unrest. 

“I don’t want to put everyone in a box and say that’s all of them. There are peaceful Muslims. There are peaceful immigrants. And probably there are also violent French people in the group. But that is definitely an influence coming from those groups, that’s influencing also the French population and pushing to violence,” she says.

Youth protests, Jules Ferry à Paris, October 2, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Guallendra/Wikimedia Commons)

Curfews have been established in specific areas in some cities, not all of France. Mosimi says it is not martial law, because the army is not involved yet.

Although some are calling for a change in France’s government, Mosimi doesn’t believe that a sudden change would be good. 

“If we lose a government right now, six months before the election, I don’t think that any person that wants to be elected next year is ready yet to take over,” she says. It remains to be seen whether there will be a change in who serves as France’s prime minister, “but for the president, that would not be smart to resign now. I think it would bring a total chaos and anarchy into the country if we don’t have a president anymore.”

Find your place in the story

Christians have a part to play, even in the most political of situations. PHARE FM’s team went on prayer walks through their city this week. They also met with a local leader and let him know they are praying for wisdom for him as he responds to these challenges. 

Along those lines, Mosimi calls Christians in France and around the world to speak against injustice while showing God’s love and peace amid national tension. 

“To be filled with the peace and the joy and the Kingdom of God, that people will see, ‘Okay, there’s something else that exists. There’s a hope that exists,’” Mosimi says. “We cannot change governments, but through our prayers and through our attitude, we can change the atmosphere.” 

Pray for boldness for Christians in France and Europe. PHARE FM broadcasts via radio and online across France with contemporary Christian music and short-form programming, reaching millions with the Good News of Jesus.

“Pray for peace and protection over France. I will also pray for a wave of salvation coming through that darkness. Let’s pray that the Lord shows up in unexpected ways,” says Mosimi. 

 

Header photo: Paris, France (Stock photo courtesy of Pascal Weiland/Unsplash)