Officers charge protesters in Paris as 'Black Thursday' strikes descends into ... trends now
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A 'Black Thursday' of demonstrations and strikes against pension reform descended into violence in France today.
The worst trouble was in Paris, where protesters fought running battles with police around Bastille square.
Anarchists calling themselves 'Black Bloc' were blamed for infiltrating a planned march and then turning on officers.
'They started throwing rocks and other projectiles,' said an officer at the scene, who added that there had been 30 arrests by 5pm.
As the violence intensified tear gas and baton charges were used by the police to try and restore order.
Trade unions predicted a million people would mobilise across France to fight moves to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030.
Mass demonstrations took place in France today against pension reforms that would raise the age of retirement to 64
Riot police officer grabs a protestor during a demonstration against pension changes
Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel said: 'On Thursday the walls of the Élysée palace must tremble.'
In turn,
