Protesters in Paris Take Fight Against Pension Reforms to BlackRock Headquarters

On Thursday, protesters in Paris took their fight against France’s plan to raise the retirement age to the world’s largest money manager, BlackRock. Approximately 100 people, including representatives of several labor unions, stormed the Centorial office block near the Opéra Garnier opera house, holding red flares and firing smoke bombs.

The protesters were voicing their opposition to the government’s pension reforms, which would raise the retirement age for most from 62 to 64, in turn delaying pension payments. Jerome Schmitt, spokesman for French union SUD, said, “We went to the headquarters of BlackRock to tell them: the money of workers, for our pensions, they are taking it.”

The protesters were on the ground floor of the building for about 10 minutes, chanting anti-reform slogans. Videos shared on social media showed the protesters entering the building and voicing their opposition to the reforms.

Currently, the country’s highest body on constitutional affairs is reviewing the bill and is expected to make a ruling on its constitutionality next week. The protests against the pension reforms have been ongoing for weeks, and it appears that the protesters are determined to make their voices heard.