Today, thousands of citizens took to the streets all over France in protest of a national pension reform bill being pushed through the Assembly by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne. Bypassing the usual democratic process, Borne invoked article 49:3 of the French Constitution, allowing the bill to be passed without a vote from the Assembly. The pension reform changes the retirement age from 62 to 64, prompting many to express their disbelief and anger.

The capital city of Paris saw the greatest number of protesters. Crowds converged on Place de la Concorde to chant “La Marseillaise” and wave union flags, while a few protesters even threw cobblestones at police in response to the retaliatory use of tear gas. People around the country responded similarly to the news, with thousands taking to the streets while also voicing no-confidence in President Macron’s government.

The move incurred the fury of