Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched in over 140 cities across France on Saturday, demanding relief from the high cost of living, more funding for public services and improvements to deteriorating schools, among other grievances. The demonstrations were the latest - and largest - in a series of protests that began in September with high schooler-led demonstrations against overcrowded classrooms and crumbling school infrastructure. Some cities saw property destruction, arson and theft on Saturday, with city halls and other symbols of the state coming under attack. Officials said nearly 1,000 police officers were injured and some 2,400 people were arrested.What is frustrating to see is how little the police violence is addressed and talked about, which is really the main violence and the real violence today that is taking place in France," says Rayyan Seriket, a member of the French student union.We're talking about shattered jaws, high schoolers and adolescents who have been blinded," adds Harrison Stetler, an independent journalist and teacher based in Paris.This all comes as Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally party is leading in the polls six months ahead of France's elections. This situation is essentially what Marine Le Pen hopes for," says Stetler.