٠٠:٠٤:٠٧Clashes erupted between riot police and protesters during the latest demonstrations against pension reforms in Paris on Thursday.
Footage shows one officer striking an activist with a baton. Another police officer is seen splashed with pink liquid, as others carried shields and formed lines outside businesses.
"I have 900 euros of pension. And I am a woman with a chopped-up career who has not worked for 10 years," said one retiree, Lila. "It isn't very easy for us today in retirement. If I hadn't saved money during the 25 years of my working life, I would be in the S-H-I-T bracket."
Fires were seen burning in the street, with firefighters arriving to extinguish the blazes, as well as smashed advertising screens. Large numbers of people marched through the streets, chanting and waving flags and placards. One sign was seen reading 'no to refom'.
"[We are] in solidarity with all the workers because if they continue to work until 70 years, 65 years and they work in very manual jobs etc., we are broken in the end not able to find work," said one student, Gabriel.
It marked the fifth nationwide day of action against the changes to the pension system this year.
In January, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030, triggering huge protests. Reforms were central to both his 2017 and 2022 campaigns.
Ministers say the changes will balance the deficit in the system caused by longer life expectancy.
The last reform, in 2011, raised the retirement age from 60 to 62. France, along with a handful of other EU countries, currently has the lowest pension age in Europe.
France: 'We are broken' - Clashes erupt as pension reform protests turn violent in Paris
Clashes erupted between riot police and protesters during the latest demonstrations against pension reforms in Paris on Thursday.
Footage shows one officer striking an activist with a baton. Another police officer is seen splashed with pink liquid, as others carried shields and formed lines outside businesses.
"I have 900 euros of pension. And I am a woman with a chopped-up career who has not worked for 10 years," said one retiree, Lila. "It isn't very easy for us today in retirement. If I hadn't saved money during the 25 years of my working life, I would be in the S-H-I-T bracket."
Fires were seen burning in the street, with firefighters arriving to extinguish the blazes, as well as smashed advertising screens. Large numbers of people marched through the streets, chanting and waving flags and placards. One sign was seen reading 'no to refom'.
"[We are] in solidarity with all the workers because if they continue to work until 70 years, 65 years and they work in very manual jobs etc., we are broken in the end not able to find work," said one student, Gabriel.
It marked the fifth nationwide day of action against the changes to the pension system this year.
In January, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030, triggering huge protests. Reforms were central to both his 2017 and 2022 campaigns.
Ministers say the changes will balance the deficit in the system caused by longer life expectancy.
The last reform, in 2011, raised the retirement age from 60 to 62. France, along with a handful of other EU countries, currently has the lowest pension age in Europe.
Clashes erupted between riot police and protesters during the latest demonstrations against pension reforms in Paris on Thursday.
Footage shows one officer striking an activist with a baton. Another police officer is seen splashed with pink liquid, as others carried shields and formed lines outside businesses.
"I have 900 euros of pension. And I am a woman with a chopped-up career who has not worked for 10 years," said one retiree, Lila. "It isn't very easy for us today in retirement. If I hadn't saved money during the 25 years of my working life, I would be in the S-H-I-T bracket."
Fires were seen burning in the street, with firefighters arriving to extinguish the blazes, as well as smashed advertising screens. Large numbers of people marched through the streets, chanting and waving flags and placards. One sign was seen reading 'no to refom'.
"[We are] in solidarity with all the workers because if they continue to work until 70 years, 65 years and they work in very manual jobs etc., we are broken in the end not able to find work," said one student, Gabriel.
It marked the fifth nationwide day of action against the changes to the pension system this year.
In January, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030, triggering huge protests. Reforms were central to both his 2017 and 2022 campaigns.
Ministers say the changes will balance the deficit in the system caused by longer life expectancy.
The last reform, in 2011, raised the retirement age from 60 to 62. France, along with a handful of other EU countries, currently has the lowest pension age in Europe.