Police Use Water Cannon to ‘Repress’ Pension-Reform Protesters in Lyon

Police officers sprayed water cannons at crowds in Lyon, France, during the third day of national strikes against the French government’s proposed pension reforms on Tuesday, February 7.

Footage captured by Bismuth Back shows protesters marching in Lyon as police officers spray a crowd. According to Back, “The water cannon [arrived] to repress the procession, following songs and a few throwing bottles.”

The national police said forces were mobilized across France to supervise the demonstrations, and SNCF, France’s national railway company, reported that train services would be disrupted due to the protests.

The French government’s proposed pension reforms would raise the retirement age for most people from 62 to 64.

Local news reported that the protests would continue on February 11. Credit: Bismuth Back via Storyful