Thousands join protests in French cities over Macron pension reform

Protesters gathering at Place de la Bastille during a rally in Paris, Thursday, march 23, 2023. French unions are holding their first mass demonstrations Thursday since President Emmanuel Macron enflamed public anger by forcing a higher retirement age through parliament without a vote. Placard left, depicting French President Emmanuel Macron that reads, “my pension before yours.”(AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

Protesters have filled the streets of Paris and other French cities, a day after President Emmanuel Macron further angered his critics by standing strong on a Bill raising the retirement age that his government forced through parliament without a vote.

Violence marred several of the marches and strikes upended travel across the country as protesters blockaded train stations, Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, refineries and ports.