04:24Demonstrations against the French government’s pension plan turned violent as clashes took place between riot police and protesters in Paris, during the fourth day of nationwide action on Saturday.
Footage features activists throwing projectiles and grappling with officers, with some being detained. A smashed glass shelter, fires in the street and an overturned, burning car can also be seen, with the fire service extinguishing one of the blazes. Other parts of the protest march include protesters chanting and waving placards, balloons and flares.
"I am in solidarity with people who fear for their retirement," said one retiree, Lisa. "I've been retired for a long time but the people to come who are 50, 60 years old, it's not...well, 40, 50 years old, they have a lot to worry about."
"I think that we are in a rather rich country. Instead of giving 14 billion to the army, we should give it to health care, which is deteriorating. Everything is deteriorating … Because we are in ultra-liberalism, including in Europe," she continued.
At least eight people were reportedly arrested in the clashes. According to the country’s interior ministry, over 960,000 people marched in several cities including Paris, Nice, Nantes, Marseille, Toulouse and other cities on Saturday.
Some believed the protests were about more than pensions.
"We think about that even if there are many problems: the climate crisis, the destruction of our social system, social security etc. We still try to have a minimum. To withdraw this pension reform, it will not be clear enough. That I agree that we must continue to mobilize for many reasons," said Gaspard, a medical student.
Reforming the country's pension system was on President Emmanuel Macron's platform both during the 2017 and 2022 elections.
The retirement age is now set to rise from 62 to 64 by 2030.The Macron government argues people are living longer and therefore must work longer to make the pension system financially sustainable.
France: Protests over pensions turn violent in Paris, eight demonstrators reportedly arrested
Demonstrations against the French government’s pension plan turned violent as clashes took place between riot police and protesters in Paris, during the fourth day of nationwide action on Saturday.
Footage features activists throwing projectiles and grappling with officers, with some being detained. A smashed glass shelter, fires in the street and an overturned, burning car can also be seen, with the fire service extinguishing one of the blazes. Other parts of the protest march include protesters chanting and waving placards, balloons and flares.
"I am in solidarity with people who fear for their retirement," said one retiree, Lisa. "I've been retired for a long time but the people to come who are 50, 60 years old, it's not...well, 40, 50 years old, they have a lot to worry about."
"I think that we are in a rather rich country. Instead of giving 14 billion to the army, we should give it to health care, which is deteriorating. Everything is deteriorating … Because we are in ultra-liberalism, including in Europe," she continued.
At least eight people were reportedly arrested in the clashes. According to the country’s interior ministry, over 960,000 people marched in several cities including Paris, Nice, Nantes, Marseille, Toulouse and other cities on Saturday.
Some believed the protests were about more than pensions.
"We think about that even if there are many problems: the climate crisis, the destruction of our social system, social security etc. We still try to have a minimum. To withdraw this pension reform, it will not be clear enough. That I agree that we must continue to mobilize for many reasons," said Gaspard, a medical student.
Reforming the country's pension system was on President Emmanuel Macron's platform both during the 2017 and 2022 elections.
The retirement age is now set to rise from 62 to 64 by 2030.The Macron government argues people are living longer and therefore must work longer to make the pension system financially sustainable.
Demonstrations against the French government’s pension plan turned violent as clashes took place between riot police and protesters in Paris, during the fourth day of nationwide action on Saturday.
Footage features activists throwing projectiles and grappling with officers, with some being detained. A smashed glass shelter, fires in the street and an overturned, burning car can also be seen, with the fire service extinguishing one of the blazes. Other parts of the protest march include protesters chanting and waving placards, balloons and flares.
"I am in solidarity with people who fear for their retirement," said one retiree, Lisa. "I've been retired for a long time but the people to come who are 50, 60 years old, it's not...well, 40, 50 years old, they have a lot to worry about."
"I think that we are in a rather rich country. Instead of giving 14 billion to the army, we should give it to health care, which is deteriorating. Everything is deteriorating … Because we are in ultra-liberalism, including in Europe," she continued.
At least eight people were reportedly arrested in the clashes. According to the country’s interior ministry, over 960,000 people marched in several cities including Paris, Nice, Nantes, Marseille, Toulouse and other cities on Saturday.
Some believed the protests were about more than pensions.
"We think about that even if there are many problems: the climate crisis, the destruction of our social system, social security etc. We still try to have a minimum. To withdraw this pension reform, it will not be clear enough. That I agree that we must continue to mobilize for many reasons," said Gaspard, a medical student.
Reforming the country's pension system was on President Emmanuel Macron's platform both during the 2017 and 2022 elections.
The retirement age is now set to rise from 62 to 64 by 2030.The Macron government argues people are living longer and therefore must work longer to make the pension system financially sustainable.