France Inflamed with Protests but Sarkozy Remains Firm

Multiple demonstrations and stoppages sweep across France during another day of pension protest, but Sarkozy voices resolute determination over his reform plans.

French riot police pursue demonstrators in the city of Lyon, as tensions continue after three days of strikes.

Protesters have taken to streets all over the country, outraged over government plans to raise the minimum retirement age.

Widespread strikes have hit various industries, though opposition movements have been relatively peaceful.

But Lyon is among the areas marked by violence.

Earlier demonstrators vandalized property around the city, including private cars.

[Car Owner, Witness and Victim of Protester Violence]:
"I was in class over there and we saw the demonstrators arrive on this road, and then we saw the CRS (French Riot Police) disembark. And then, all in 30 seconds, they had damaged all of the cars on the road. Anyway, it only takes 30 seconds to smash the windows in a car."

Elsewhere, in Toulouse, thousands of students and trade unionists fired off flares as they chanted against the proposed pension reforms.

And in Marseille more trade unions blockaded the streets by setting fires.

Speaking to factory workers on Thursday, President Nicolas Sarkozy said, without reform, funds for the pension system would run dry.

[Nicholas Sarkozy, French President]:
"Young people are entering the market later and later these days because they're studying longer and that's a good thing. And older people are living longer and longer because life expectancy has increased. How can one resolve that if one doesn't increase the duration of a working life?"

France's government hopes to pass the reform bill by Friday, but unions vow more strikes during the following week.