French Protests: Who Is on the Streets and Will Anything Change?

After days of protests and riots in France, authorities have arrested 2,397 people since Saturday, with nearly 90 percent being adults, primarily young men aged 18 to 30. The protests, which began against poor education quality, have expanded into a broader movement against rising living costs, with riots, looting, and violence accompanying many demonstrations. According to Europe 1, two profiles emerge among arrestees: radical far-left militants, including black bloc members who deliberately seek confrontation, and opportunistic looters, including youth from vulnerable banlieues, exploiting the chaos to rob stores.