French Rip Macron For Railroading Higher Retirement Age

Large crowds in Paris and other French cities took to the streets in the first mass rallies since President Emmanuel Macron stoked public anger by forcing a higher retirement age bill through parliament without a vote, Sylvie Corbet and Alexander Turnbull reported for Reuters.

Photo Insert: Strikes upended travel in France on Thursday as protesters blockaded train stations, Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, refineries, and ports.

Strikes upended travel in France on Thursday as protesters blockaded train stations, Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, refineries, and ports. More than 250 protests were organized across the country and union leaders praised the “significant” mobilization.

In Paris, tens of thousands gathered on the Bastille plaza in a cheerful atmosphere, many waving union flags to the sound of standard protest songs as they started walking through the capital.

“We are here, even if Macron doesn’t want it, we are here!” many chanted. In the western city of Rennes, scuffles broke out between some participants and police who used water cannons to disperse the crowd.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic