More than 1 million people took part in Thursday’s nationwide protests against the pension reform, which France’s government pushed through last week. In Paris alone, 119,000 people marched in the streets, according to the overview of the Ministry of the Interior. 123 police officers were injured during Thursday. 80 people have been arrested. Protesters blocked train stations, roads and parts of Charles de Gaulle airport outside Paris. There were also large demonstrations against the unpopular reform in Bordeaux, Lyon, Nantes, Rennes and several other French cities. Increased use of violence Both in Paris and in other cities riot police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators, and several people have been arrested. In Paris, smaller groups of anarchists smashed shop windows, destroyed street furniture and looted a McDonalds restaurant. The police responded with tear gas and water cannons. PARIS: Demonstrators fire tear gas grenades back at police. Photo: NACHO DOCE / Reuters The strike actions and protests in recent weeks have been largely peaceful. But in recent days, the use of violence has increased during spontaneous demonstrations. The organizers of the protests ask people to refrain from violence. – We want non-violent actions that respect property and people, says Lauren Berger of the trade union CFDT in an attempt to calm the situation. – Must enter into force within the year The total number of demonstrators in the whole country was 1.089 million. There are more than twice as many who took part in the protests on 15 March, which was the previous day when the trade union movement called for demonstrations and a general strike. MANY INJURED: An injured policeman is helped away from a demonstration in Paris. Photo: Christophe Ena / AP However, the record was not broken. It was set on March 7 when 1.28 million people demonstrated. On Wednesday, President Emmanuel Macron said that the pension reform must come into force before the end of the year. Among other things, it means that the retirement age will be raised to 64, and that employees must work for at least 43 years to receive a full pension, which means that many will have to work much longer than until they reach the age of 64.
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