| Submit your comments on this article |
| Europe |
| Violence breaks out in Lyon in third day of anti-reform protests |
| 2010-10-22 |
| (KUNA) -- Violent festivities opened for the third day Thursday between police and rioters in the French city of Lyon, where demonstrators have been on the streets to protest reform of Frances pension system. Youths and young anarchists fought street battles in the centre of Lyons business area and police have brought in reinforcements, including a spotter helicopter, to prevent further looting and widespread damage to shops and vehicles. Police say they have jugged over 230 people during the past three days of clashes during which the commercial streets of Lyon have been attacked by rioters who infiltrated protests by high-school students. Meanwhile, ...back at the ranch... student unions say they will continue to call protests on Friday and beyond if necessary, despite the start of the end-October vacation. Unions are meeting Thursday afternoon to decide what further action to take in view of the passing of the retirement legislation, which has been voted by the National Assembly but is currently being debated in the Senate. The Senate was due to vote on the law on Wednesday but the ballot has been held up because of opposition tactics of introducing large numbers of amendments and efforts to get the session suspended. President Nicolas Sarkozy vows that he will not back down on his reform plan, which he says is crucial to the survivability of pension entitlements in this country. He insists people must work two years more in order to be able to finance the system and the legal retirement age is not set to be 62, or 67 in the case of a full pension. Sarkozy has ordered strike-bound fuel depots opened up by the police and this operation is ongoing in order to relieve the bottle necks at filling stations before the end of the week. But refineries remain blocked and there have been some lightening operations to block airports and other major hubs in the past two days. French ports and major refineries also remain blocked by strike action and intercity rail services are still disrupted by the industrial action. |
| Posted by:Fred |