On 2 May 1968, the administration shut down the Sorbonne, the university in the heart of Paris, locking out the students. Four days later, 20,000 students, teachers, and supporters marched on the Sorbonne. It was the first move in what became a near revolution fought out on the streets of Paris. Trains stopped running. Airports closed. Mail and telephone communications were cut. Barricades were erected.
The Sorbonne was re-opened by the authorities, and was promptly occupied by students and declared an "autonomous People's University". One of the students leaders and a key figure in the events of May '68, was Daniel Cohn-Bendit, aka "Danny the Red".
Paris, 7 May 1968. Some of the worst fighting took place in the Latin Quarter. Students hurl paving stones at police in the Rue St. Jacques. The police respond with yet more tear gas.
Students reading the last news
The fightings in Paris lasted for nearly four weeks. Buses and cars were overturned and set ablaze, 422 people were arrested. Over 600 were seriously injured.
1 comentário:
Some very good photographs. And I was there...
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