French protesters are using the phrase 'Bismillah, c’est les ténèbres' to mock police racial stereotyping, amid nationwide demonstrations over education, living costs, and police conduct.
01Summary
- 01Hundreds of thousands protested across France over the weekend in the largest mobilisation since protests began last month.
- 02The slogan mocks undercover police who allegedly used an unconvincing mix of Arabic and slang to infiltrate protest chats.
- 03France's police inspectorate has opened dozens of investigations into alleged police violence since the protests started.
- 04The phrase has spread to similar protests in Italy and Belgium.
- 05A Reuters report cited a 72% rise in Islamophobic acts in France in the first quarter of 2025 compared with 2024.
02Why it matters
This story matters because it highlights how French youth are using satire to challenge racial profiling and police tactics, while broader protests reflect deep discontent with education and inequality in France.
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