J. L.

J. L is one of three children blinded in yellow vest protests. He was struck during clashes in front of his high school. In February, AFP interviewed the boy’s father, who asked to remain anonymous.

Why was he there?

J. was leaving school when he was caught up in clashes between high-school students, yellow vests and police, his father told AFP.

What happened?

He was hit in the left eye with a projectile, which his father claims was a rubber bullet  “with no doubt whatsoever”.

“My son was not a protester or a yellow vest,” he says. “He was simply leaving school.”

What is his life like now?

The boy underwent facial reconstruction surgery on December 14, 2018 but was blinded in his left eye. His father, who says he is waiting for “justice to be done”, took part in a television appeal for witnesses. He has asked for an explanation as to how his son was injured, as well as for compensation.