LIVE: Thousands of French continue to stand up to Macron’s pension reform

The Government of France made use of article 49.3 of the Constitution to approve the controversial project, which will raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 years.

This Saturday there were new demonstrations in several cities in France against the approval of the pension reform of the Government of Emmanuel Macron, which made use of article 49.3 of the Constitution, to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64without going through the vote of the National Assembly.

In Paris, dozens of protesters have taken over the Chateau des Halles shopping center, chanting phrases such as: “Down with 49.3!”Retirement at 60, we fight to earn itwe will fight to keep it!”, “Paris, get up, get up!”.

Inside the compound, smoke bombs were used and a “general strike” banner was unfurled. collect BMFTV.

While, in the Plaza de la Concordia, demonstrations have been prohibited, report local media.

“Due to the serious risk of disturbance of public order and security (…), it remains Any gathering on the public thoroughfare of the Plaza de la Concordia is prohibited and its surroundings, as well as in the Champs-Elysees Avenue area,” the Prefecture said, adding that people who gather at the location will be evicted and likely fined.

About 4.000 personas They gathered on Saturday afternoon at the Place d’Italia in Paris, located in the 13th arrondissement of the French capital. Some protesters tried raise barricades and set fire to basura cubeswhile there were clashes with the Police.

Security forces assured BFM TV that the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) asked the demonstrators to disperse “due to the presence of numerous rioters.”

Demonstrations in other cities

In the city of Marseilles about 1,500 people they met in the Charles de Gaulles square, while in Toulouse a hundred police officers demonstrated in front of the ST-Orens Town Hall.

“We have mobilized from the beginning against the pension reform, but there is also that profoundly undemocratic approach that takes us out on the streets today, (article) 49.3, is intolerable for us,” said a student to BFMTV.

Likewise, in Nantes about 9,000 people They have taken to the streets. HE reports about the firing of tear gas by the agents, while the protesters respond by throwing bottles of wine.

In the city of Brest, the unions ensure that 8,000 people They marched through the streets, but the Police report about 5,000. According to media Locals, protesters attempt to seize a shopping mall, demanding an “economic blockade” after being forced to withdraw from the city’s sub-prefecture after officers fired tear gas.

In Caen, a peaceful demonstration turned tense after a minority group of people He directed to the station to try to block the trains where several trash cans were burned and windows of the building were smashed.

Meanwhile, in Bordeaux the mobilizations become more violent. A fire broke out after a crowd of protesters passed by, while firefighters mobilized on the scene and merchants tried to put out the flames with the fire extinguishers in their stores.

While the riots progress, the residents are already calling for a ninth day of mobilizations for March 23.