Day of Rage: Nationwide Protests Against Pension Reform Engulf France

Demonstrators wave flares as they march during a rally in Saint-Denis de la Reunion on the French Indian island of La Reunion on January 19, 2023, as part of a strike by workers held to protest the French government's proposed pension reform to raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64. (Photo by Richard BOUHET / AFP)

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Demonstrators wave flares as they march during a rally in Saint-Denis de la Reunion on the French Indian island of La Reunion on January 19, 2023, as part of a strike by workers held to protest the French government's proposed pension reform to raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64. (Photo by Richard BOUHET / AFP)

© AFP 2023 / Stephane De Sakutin

This photograph taken on January 19, 2023 shows a metal curtain closing off access to Montparnasse metro station in Paris, as workers go on strike over French President Macron's plan to raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)

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This photograph taken on January 19, 2023 shows a metal curtain closing off access to Montparnasse metro station in Paris, as workers go on strike over French President Macron's plan to raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)

© AFP 2023 / Stephane De Sakutin

Wooden pallets burn as demonstrators gather during a rally called by French trade unions outside the Gare de Lyon, in Paris on January 19, 2023. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)

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Wooden pallets burn as demonstrators gather during a rally called by French trade unions outside the Gare de Lyon, in Paris on January 19, 2023. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)

© AFP 2023 / Alain Jocard

Workers board up the windows of a bank branch located on the route of a demonstration, on the eve of nationwide strikes and protests against a pension reform plan in Paris, on January 18, 2023. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP)

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Workers board up the windows of a bank branch located on the route of a demonstration, on the eve of nationwide strikes and protests against a pension reform plan in Paris, on January 18, 2023. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP)

© AFP 2023 / Loic Venance

A protestor holds a placard during a rally called by French trade unions in Nantes, western France, on January 19, 2023, as workers go on strike over the French President's plan to raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP)

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A protestor holds a placard during a rally called by French trade unions in Nantes, western France, on January 19, 2023, as workers go on strike over the French President's plan to raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP)

© AP Photo / Nicolas GarrigaHigh school students block their school Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 in Paris. French workers angry over proposed changes to retirement rules are halting high-speed trains, disrupting electricity supplies and taking to the streets Thursday in a day of nationwide strikes and protests seen as a major test for Emmanuel Macron and his presidency. High school student unions are expected to join the protests by blocking access to some schools.6/10High school students block their school Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 in Paris. French workers angry over proposed changes to retirement rules are halting high-speed trains, disrupting electricity supplies and taking to the streets Thursday in a day of nationwide strikes and protests seen as a major test for Emmanuel Macron and his presidency. High school student unions are expected to join the protests by blocking access to some schools.© AFP 2023 / Nicolas Tucat

Protesters wave flares during a rally called by French trade unions against the government pension reform plan in Marseille, southern France, on January 19, 2023.

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Protesters wave flares during a rally called by French trade unions against the government pension reform plan in Marseille, southern France, on January 19, 2023.

© AFP 2023 / Charly Triballeau

Protesters hold a banner reading "all on strike" during a rally called by French trade unions in Toulouse, southwestern France, on January 19, 2023.

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Protesters hold a banner reading "all on strike" during a rally called by French trade unions in Toulouse, southwestern France, on January 19, 2023.

© AFP 2023 / Richard Bouhet

Demonstrators march with a placard ' Truth, Dignity and Justice' during a rally in Saint-Denis de la Reunion on the French Indian island of La Reunion on January 19, 2023, as part of a strike by workers held to protest the French governments proposed pension reform to raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64.

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Demonstrators march with a placard ' Truth, Dignity and Justice' during a rally in Saint-Denis de la Reunion on the French Indian island of La Reunion on January 19, 2023, as part of a strike by workers held to protest the French governments proposed pension reform to raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64.

© AFP 2023 / Nicolas Tucat

Member of the leftist La France Insoumise (LFI) party Jean-Luc Melenchon speak to journalists during a rally called by French trade unions against the government pension reform plan in Marseille, southern France, on January 19, 2023.

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Member of the leftist La France Insoumise (LFI) party Jean-Luc Melenchon speak to journalists during a rally called by French trade unions against the government pension reform plan in Marseille, southern France, on January 19, 2023.

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