French Protests Draw 410,000 as Superhero Costumes Appear

Protests across France continued on October 25, 2026, with demonstrators dressed as superheroes like Black Panther and Captain America joining crowds, as nearly 410,000 people took to the streets nationwide and around 1,000 were arrested. The demonstrations, driven by rising living costs and reduced education funding, have led to clashes with police using water cannons and tear gas. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated police could not control the looting and arson, and his offer to resign was rejected by President Emmanuel Macron. Protesters have adopted protective gear like helmets and masks, while similar cost-of-living demonstrations have spread to other European countries including Italy, Spain, and Portugal. A court overturned a government protest ban, and authorities seized various weapons from demonstrators.