Mexico City, Mexico - Hundreds of protesters attacked police and attempted to storm Congress but were unable to break through lines of riot police who were protecting the building. The demonstrators who flew both Mexican and black flags were calling for congress to protect the current pension system.

Inside the building rowdy leftist politicians shouted and unfurled banners opposed to the reforms they could not defeat through voting. The new pension bill would if signed by President Felipe Calderon, would make it harder for elderly workers to receive benefits and set the age of retirement back from 50 to 60. Calderon is expected to sign the legislation which critics say amounts to a privatization of the pension scheme.