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The Eiffel Tower shut down, France’s high-speed trains stood still and tens of thousands of people marched through Paris and other cities Thursday in a massive and sometimes chaotic outpouring of anger at the government’s plan to overhaul the retirement system.

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A protester throws a piece of wood as other, some wearing yellow vests, stand behind a banner during a demonstration to protest against the pension overhauls, at the Place de la Republique, in Paris.ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images

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Riot police stand among smoke and flares during a demonstration against the pension overhauls, near Place de la Republique, in Paris.ZAKARIA ABDELKAFI/AFP/Getty Images

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Protesters march towards riot police during a protest near Place de Republique in support of the national strike in France.Kiran Ridley/Getty Images

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A protester holds a French Tricolor amidst tear gas as protesters and French Riot Police clash during a rally near Place de Republique in support of the national strike in France.Kiran Ridley/Getty Images

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French Riot Poilce stand in the a doorway of a building during violent clashes with protesters near Place de Republique in support of the national strike in France.Kiran Ridley/Getty Images

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Protesters march towards riot police during a protest near Place de Republique in support of the national strike in France, one of the largest nationwide strikes in years in Paris.Kiran Ridley/Getty Images

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A protester throws a rock towards police as protestors and French Riot Police clash during a rally near Place de Republique in support of the national strike in France.Kiran Ridley/Getty Images

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Protesters retreat from riot police during a protest near Place de Republique in support of the national strike in France.Kiran Ridley/Getty Images

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A man stands on a traffic light during a demonstration in Paris.Thibault Camus/The Associated Press

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A destroyed Paris information board and a burning bike during clashes at a demonstration against French government's pensions reform plans in Paris as part of a day of national strike and protests in France.GONZALO FUENTES/Reuters

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Protestors stand on the "Triomphe de la Republique" statue as they hold banners reading "Pension before death" (R) during a rally against the pension overhauls, in Paris.THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images

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