Place de la Bastille...tens of thousands of public sector workers just left Place de la Bastille on their way to Place Denfert-Rochereau (about 4 miles away) in protest against President Sarkozy's new proposed legislation which will gradually, over a few years, raise the retirement age from 60 to 62. The government's thinking is that the increase in retirement age will provide additional revenue and help to cover the deficit caused in part by huge spending on social benefits.
Two weeks ago there was a similar nation-wide protest in which approximately 2 1/2 million people participated.
"pompiers" (fr)... firefighters
photo 2:in front of the "new" opera in Place de la Bastille.
My reports regarding that demonstration can be viewed at: