There is no end to the anger of French citizens over the reform of the pension bill promoted by the Macron government. Today, there were also new clashes between the police and protesters on the occasion of the construction of tanks.

A large procession started late in the morning, consisting of at least 6,000 people according to local authorities and about 25,000 according to the organizers. “As the country rises up to defend pensions, we will simultaneously rise up to defend water,” organizers said. However, violent incidents soon broke out. Police cars were engulfed in flames and the police fired tear gas at the protesters and several arrests were made. In total, more than 3,000 police were deployed, while officials said at least 1,000 “potentially violent activists” took part in the demonstration.

Twenty-four members of the security forces were injured, one of them seriously, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. Also seven protesters were injured, one also very seriously. Both seriously injured were taken away by helicopter.

A total of 11 people were arrested.

Although this particular protest is not directly related to the protests against the pension reforms, the clashes over the construction of a water tank have increased the tensions in the already unsettled situation, putting the government in an even more difficult position.