Protesters clash with police in Paris during protest against pension reform

PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 21: A demonstration was held in Paris against the government's pension reform on Saturday (Jan. 21) at the call of about 10 youth organizations. The protest that started in Bastille Square ended in Nation Square. Jean-Luc Melenchon, the 2022 LFI presidential candidate, also participated in the demonstration, which was supported by the far-left party Indomitable France (La France Insoumise - LFI). The protesters chanted slogans such as "We are here for the dignity of workers and for a better world, even if (Macron does not want it", "General strike all together!" There were also yellow vests among the demonstrators. While cash machines and glass of a bank targeted by masked demonstrators were damaged, garbage bins were set on fire. Tension rose especially at the end of the rally, protesters threw bottles at the security forces. According to the organizers, 150,000 people attended the protest. Speaking to Anadolu, 18-year-old high school Olivia Dufourt said that people close to retirement would wait longer after the pension reform. "There's time for 10 more reforms before I retire," Dufourt said, speaking about the negative effects of the reform on unemployment. On Thursday (Jan. 20) at least 2 million people poured on to the streets of France in mass protests against a contentious government plan to hike the age of retirement, according to the CGT union. More strikes are expected in the country amid simmering anger over President Emmanuel Macron’s planned pension reforms, which include hiking the retirement age from 62 to 64. In a tweet on Thursday, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne hailed “the commitment of the security forces, and the unions, who helped to hold demonstrations in good conditions.” (Footage by Esra Taskin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)