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France's Government Introduces Pension Bill Amid New Protests

Lisa Bryant

   PARIS - Tens of thousands of French took to the streets Friday for
   another day of protests as the government unveiled its controversial
   legislation to reform the country's pension system.

   Rock music and giant union balloons were out in force at the Place de
   la Republique, where protesters gathered to march to Concorde, the
   iconic square of the French Revolution. But their numbers were sizably
   down from last month's demonstrations. Representatives from moderate
   unions--now in negotiations with the government--were noticeably
   absent.

   But students, lawyers and retirees were on the street. So were Paris
   Opera employees like Shirley Coquaire.

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