Violent clashes in Paris over the pension – 1.8 million protesters poured into the streets!

Hundreds of protests are underway across France from hundreds of citizens who have taken to the streets to protest the Macron government’s bill raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.

More than 300 demonstrations are taking place across the country, according to French police, while violent clashes have occurred between protesters and police in several cities, resulting in injuries and arrests. and on the Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle in Paris.

?? Grosse charge au beau milieu du boulevard, a proximity du musee Grevin, sous les huees des manifestants. @Le_Figaro pic.twitter.com/LBVEfxwwjp

— Hugues Maillot (@HuguesMaillot) March 23, 2023

Paris police said they were “targeted around the Place de la Republique” and that the “attackers” were pushed back by throwing tear gas. Police said they have arrested at least 21 people so far. Many protesters chanted slogans and held placards against President Macron and Prime Minister Born.

Meanwhile, in the northwestern city of Rennes, police fired water cannons and tear gas as some hooded protesters set up barricades.

Crowds also gathered in the south and mainly in Marseille, Nice and Toulon.

#Paristensions toujours en cours, le cortege de tete a ete scinde en plusieurs groupes. #manif23mars#Greve23March#blockagetotal#manifestation#manifestations #ReformeDesRetraites#macron13h pic.twitter.com/4KCCF88ECQ

— Jules Ravel (@JulesRavel1) March 23, 2023

According to the Ministry of Interior, 1.8 million protesters took to the streets today, more than double the number of the previous March 15 mobilization where 480,000 citizens participated. According to the CGT union the demonstrators reached 3.5 million.

In the city of Lorient, protesters attacked a police station and a local prefectural office.

French channel BFMTV reported that “at least 350-400 people” all dressed in black used “large” fireworks and targeted a McDonald’s in the St Denis area of ​​Strasbourg. The police reportedly pushed them back, also using tear gas.

In Lyon, hundreds of railway workers, students and others have flooded the railway tracks, disrupting train services. The police made 11 arrests while three police officers were injured.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the attacks were unacceptable and could not go unpunished.

Since the early morning, Paris has been “fortified” for fear of incidents. Along the route from the Bastille to the Opéra, shops, banks and businesses were fortified from early morning and police officers were stationed along the streets.

The widespread strikes have caused serious consequences for public transport and air transport, even flight cancellations. Airport authorities said the protests would have an impact on weekend flights. About 30% of flights scheduled to depart from Orly airport, south of Paris, are expected to be canceled on Friday and Saturday as well as 20% of departures from Marseille, Bordeaux and Lyon. On Thursday morning, protesters blocked Terminal 1 at Charles de Gaulle airport north of Paris.

Also closed are schools and colleges across France, including Paris, Rouen, Marseille and Toulouse.

In a televised interview that Emmanuel Macron gave yesterday Wednesday, he ruled out the dissolution of parliament, the reshuffle of his centrist government and the resignation of his prime minister, Elizabeth Bourne, as demanded by the opposition.

He claimed that his only regret was “not being able to convince people of the necessity of this reform”.

Source: skai.gr