Protests broke out in France today, the 11th day after national strikes. One of President Emmanuel Macron’s favorite restaurants was set on fire and tear gas used to disperse demonstrators.
Many thousands of protestors gathered in cities against Mr ‘s controversial reforms to pensions, which have caused months of anger.
According to Natacha Pommet, leader of the CGT trade association, Rat Catchers in Paris threw dead rodents into the city hall “to demonstrate the harsh reality of their mission”.
Around 100 protestors blocked the road to Charles de Gaulle Airport in the capital and entered the terminal building.
The airport was unaffected by the flight cancellations, but passengers were delayed in getting through security.
Paris protesters attacked Macron’s favorite restaurant, sparking chaos.
Demonstrators set fire to the awning at La Rotonde brasserie, throwing rocks, bottles, and paint at police officers.
French citizens are well-versed in the fact that the restaurant hosted a celebratory dinner to honor Mr Macron’s victory in the first round of the 2017 presidential elections.
Police used tear gas to disperse protesters shouting “strike blockade Macron walk away!” at a Rennes, Brittany march.
Tractors joined the march of marchers in Nantes’ western city. Tear gas was also used against protestors.
Protests in other cities were peaceful, with thousands marching under union banners and flags in Marseille, Bordeaux, Lyon, and other cities.
Union leaders claimed that the anger at President Macron’s reforms to his pension system has grown into a larger movement of workers unhappy about their salaries and working conditions.
Macron has not indicated that he will back down from controversial reforms that would alter France‘s retirement age to 64 from 62.
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According to polls, a large majority of French citizens oppose the bill that Mr Macron’s government passed through parliament without any vote.
After an hour of talks on Wednesday between Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and trade union leaders, there was no breakthrough.
Sophie Binet, who was elected general secretary of CGT union, stated that the protests were the result of “deep anger, a cold anger”.
She called Mr Macron’s government “completely disconnected” from the country, and “completely bunkerized in its ministries.”
She said, promising to continue protests, “We cannot turn the page until the Reform is withdrawn.”