Police Clash With Protesters at Paris Pension Reform Demonstration

Hundreds of thousands of people were on strike across France on Thursday, March 23, after President Emmanuel Macron vowed to push on with deeply unpopular pension reform, local media reported.

Demonstrations ramped up nationwide since Macron used a constitutional provision to force through reforms without a parliamentary vote.

Thursday’s strike saw train traffic disrupted, airports affected, and teachers and students walking out, while rolling strikes continued at oil depots and garbage collection centers, France 24 reported.

The CGT union said 800,000 people joined demonstrations in Paris, the highest figure put forward by the union since the start of the protests.

French media reported several clashes broke out between protesters and police in Paris. According to the police, there were at least 26 arrests in the capital city.

Footage captured by journalist Alexander Lerche shows firefighters in Paris battling flames, while fireworks and projectiles are launched as police in riot gear charge at the crowd. Credit: Alexander Lerche via Storyful