Pension reform: ninth day of mobilization marked by excesses in Paris

Simon Bourtembourg 09:52, March 24, 2023

The ninth day of demonstrations against the pension reform reached a milestone on Thursday, with the radicalization of hundreds of thugs who infiltrated the parades, sometimes with scenes of chaos, as in Paris. Molotov cocktails and cobblestones against batons and tear gas... For the first time, the feeling of having reached a tipping point is widely shared in the processions.

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Damage to shop windows, fires of garbage cans and clashes with the police. On the lookout for the next charge of the CRS, helmet on his head and mask on his eyes, Morgan recognizes a hardening of the mobilization. "I have done all the demonstrations since January and indeed, they have changed. This violence by the protesters is understandable."

"It's the same struggle that continues"

For all in the procession, this violence is the result of the speech Wednesday of the President of the Republic. "We were absolutely not convinced by Emmanuel Macron's words," Laurent told Europe 1. Man justifies tension by exasperation. On the front line against the police, he welcomes the revival of the movement. "The demonstrations that are there today, no matter the outbursts and no matter the wishes, are legitimate and are the consequence of the violence of the government that does not listen to the people."

A violence that is characterized by anti-police slogans, but also throwing cobblestones at the police. For Jean, two movements that did not mix met this Thursday. "Whether it's today or in the evenings spontaneously, for me, there is no contradiction," said the man, flag in hand. "It's the same struggle that continues." The inter-union calls for a 10th day of mobilization next Tuesday.