David Montagné, edited by Loane Nader 11:21 am, March 24, 2023

This Thursday, the inter-union gathered hundreds of thousands of demonstrators in the street for the first day of mobilization against the pension reform since the use of 49.3. A day of protest that was particularly marked by violence and tensions with the police.

The ninth day of mobilization against the pension reform and the first since the use of 49.3 took place this Thursday, in a particularly tense atmosphere in France, after the speech of the President of the Republic on Wednesday. Many excesses occurred in the capital, from the beginning of the afternoon, during which cobblestones, bottles and fireworks were thrown at the police.

Other large cities, such as Lorient or Saint-Nazaire, have experienced similar violence: bus shelters and shop windows have been broken and many garbage fires have started. Police stations were also targeted, reflecting the anti-police sentiment of many protesters. For good reason, in Bordeaux, several hundred Black Blocs threw projectiles at agents. The anger of the people also spread to the entrance gate of the town hall, which was completely set on fire.

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149 police and gendarmes injured

These actions are symbolic, as well as targeted power cuts, organized by some activists. The latter also managed to cut off the power supply to the Pau police station for more than two hours. In total, there are 172 arrests throughout the country, according to Gérald Darmanin. The ultra-left would be largely responsible for these excesses and violence, especially on the police, according to the Minister of the Interior who reports 149 police and gendarmes injured during the demonstrations.