May Day protests in France: Hundreds of thousands rally amid pension reform anger

The first day of May marks International Workers' Day, with marches and demonstrations erupting across the world in recognition of everyone who works hard for a living. In France, Labour Day is referred to as "La Fête du Travail", and this specific May Day falls in the middle of strikes and industrial action following the most controversial reform in decades.

Hundreds of thousands have gathered across France to mark Labour Day, with unions calling the rallies "historic" and "festive" as they intend to use the bank holiday to show that they have not abandoned the fight against the French government's pension reform.

There have been accusations of police state tactics used against the demonstrators since the current series of protests against Emmanuel Macron's plans for retirement reform began in December 2022. The deployment of drone technology will do little to calm those accusations, as an "eye in the sky" has been surveying the protests on this May Day.

Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Josephine Joly and Guillaume Gougeon.

Read more on FRANCE 24 English

Read also:
May Day march against pension reform: Paris protesters determined to 'give it our all'
French police fire teargas as clashes erupt at May Day pension protests
Drones used to monitor French May Day rallies for first time