Charles Guyard, edited by Yanis Darras 16:11 p.m., March 23, 2023, modified at 16:15 p.m., March 23, 2023

In Rennes, thousands of people marched this Thursday to continue to oppose the pension reform, planned by the executive. Among them, many young students, and high school students, also determined to mobilize to say no to the bill.

The speech of Emmanuel Macron this Wednesday, will not have been enough to calm the anger of the demonstrators. Between 600,000 and 800,000 people are expected in the streets this Thursday according to police estimates, for the ninth day of mobilization against the pension reform. Nearly 32 rallies are scheduled across the country. In Rennes, several thousand people gathered at 11 a.m., with a single slogan beyond the pension reform: general discontent.

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High school students on the street

"The passage of 49-3, Emmanuel Macron's speech and all that followed, showed the contempt of the elites for everything that is happening at the moment, and it fueled a little more anger," said a protester.

So, the purpose of the blockades of schools this morning is clear: that high school students are not in class, but also in the street. Objective achieved with these clusters of young people of 15, 16 or 17 years, very present in the event. For some of them, this is the first time they have hit the pavement. And the will is not to skip classes, but "to show President Emmanuel Macron that we too are here. This is important because it is not only the elderly who can demonstrate. We also wanted to have our retirement," says a young high school student.

"The youth movement"

"I think it's important that all age groups are on the streets right now. It does not depend only on the people who are in active life and it is necessary that the young people are also there, "continues one of his comrades, stressing that this procession was also "the movement of the youth".

A movement that arouses enthusiasm in the procession, but also a lot of concern on the side of the authorities. Precisely here in Rennes, where the latest demonstrations have been punctuated by excesses.