03:43Violent clashes between police and protesters were seen at the Labour Day march in Paris on Monday, with at least one officer injured by a 'molotov cocktail' projectile.
Footage also shows police deploying tear gas, activists setting fire to a rubbish bin and a bicycle, and others carrying placards reading 'Macron go away' and ’60 maximum', referring to the ongoing row over retirement age.
"We are all here to show that we are united, whatever our organisation is, whatever our job is, it is the International Labour Day, we have to prove that we are here to defend our rights, workers' rights," said one student, Linda.
Paris police stated that 112,000 people had gathered for the demonstration. Violent clashes broke out in various cities, with over 100 police officers reported injured, including 25 in Paris.
"It always makes sense to be here, if everybody goes out in the street, the entire system would be blocked. If nobody would be here, nothing would change," added another protester.
Annual protests on Labour Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, are common across the world, although unions and activists called for a large turnout across France following French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reforms.
Huge demonstrations and strikes have taken place in recent months over the government’s changes to the pension system, including raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Macron signed the plans into law last month, following approval from the country’s highest constitutional court, and announced a '100 day’ domestic action plan which he hopes will unite the country.
Workers’ organisations vowed to continue the protests, which intensified after the president forced through his plans using special powers to avoid a potential defeat in the National Assembly.
France: Fierce clashes in Paris during Labour Day march against pension reform
Violent clashes between police and protesters were seen at the Labour Day march in Paris on Monday, with at least one officer injured by a 'molotov cocktail' projectile.
Footage also shows police deploying tear gas, activists setting fire to a rubbish bin and a bicycle, and others carrying placards reading 'Macron go away' and ’60 maximum', referring to the ongoing row over retirement age.
"We are all here to show that we are united, whatever our organisation is, whatever our job is, it is the International Labour Day, we have to prove that we are here to defend our rights, workers' rights," said one student, Linda.
Paris police stated that 112,000 people had gathered for the demonstration. Violent clashes broke out in various cities, with over 100 police officers reported injured, including 25 in Paris.
"It always makes sense to be here, if everybody goes out in the street, the entire system would be blocked. If nobody would be here, nothing would change," added another protester.
Annual protests on Labour Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, are common across the world, although unions and activists called for a large turnout across France following French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reforms.
Huge demonstrations and strikes have taken place in recent months over the government’s changes to the pension system, including raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Macron signed the plans into law last month, following approval from the country’s highest constitutional court, and announced a '100 day’ domestic action plan which he hopes will unite the country.
Workers’ organisations vowed to continue the protests, which intensified after the president forced through his plans using special powers to avoid a potential defeat in the National Assembly.
Violent clashes between police and protesters were seen at the Labour Day march in Paris on Monday, with at least one officer injured by a 'molotov cocktail' projectile.
Footage also shows police deploying tear gas, activists setting fire to a rubbish bin and a bicycle, and others carrying placards reading 'Macron go away' and ’60 maximum', referring to the ongoing row over retirement age.
"We are all here to show that we are united, whatever our organisation is, whatever our job is, it is the International Labour Day, we have to prove that we are here to defend our rights, workers' rights," said one student, Linda.
Paris police stated that 112,000 people had gathered for the demonstration. Violent clashes broke out in various cities, with over 100 police officers reported injured, including 25 in Paris.
"It always makes sense to be here, if everybody goes out in the street, the entire system would be blocked. If nobody would be here, nothing would change," added another protester.
Annual protests on Labour Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, are common across the world, although unions and activists called for a large turnout across France following French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reforms.
Huge demonstrations and strikes have taken place in recent months over the government’s changes to the pension system, including raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Macron signed the plans into law last month, following approval from the country’s highest constitutional court, and announced a '100 day’ domestic action plan which he hopes will unite the country.
Workers’ organisations vowed to continue the protests, which intensified after the president forced through his plans using special powers to avoid a potential defeat in the National Assembly.