More than 100 Police Officers Injured in French May Day Protest

VIVA – More than 100 police officers have been injured in clashes across France with protesters angry at pension reforms, according to Home Affairs Minister. 

Gerald Darmanin stated such as a lot of police wounded was extremely rare, adding that 291 people had been arrested during the unrest. Hundreds of thousands have been taking part in May Day demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron's reforms. 

Most were peaceful but radical groups threw petrol bombs and fireworks. Police responded with tear gas and water cannon. It is not clear how many protesters have been injured. 

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said that the violence was unacceptable, while also praising the responsible mobilization and commitment of demonstrators in several cities. 

As information, this is the latest day of mass action against changes that raise the state pension age from 62 to 64. Trade unions want them withdrawn. 

The Ministry of home affairs put the overall number of demonstrators at 782,000, including 112,000 in the capital Paris, but the CGT union says the figure is three times that number. 

Union leaders were adamant that months-long opposition to the reforms was not waning, "The page is not going to be turned as long as there is no withdrawal of this pension reform. The determination to win is intact," said CGT Leader, Sophie Binet. 

In Paris, one police officer suffered serious burns to his hands and face when struck by a petrol bomb. Violence also broke out in Lyons, Toulouse, and Nantes, where vehicles were set on fire and businesses attacked.

There were also reports that protesters briefly occupied a luxury hotel in the southern city of Marseille. In addition, on Monday was the first time since 2009 that France's top eight trade unions had backed calls for a protest.