10 May

On the night of 10 May 1968 a full-scale riot began in the Quartier Latin, Paris. Students, striking lecturers and young workers erected over 60 barriers, made from overturned cars, trees and lampposts in what became known as the ‘Night of the Barricades.’ The riot started when students and teachers marched to demand the release of jailed activists, for full political and trade union rights as well as the withdrawal of the police from the Sorbonne. They were joined by young workers swelling their ranks to over 60,000.

Inevitably the police responded brutally and this turned public opinion against the State. Three days later a general strike was called with over half a million workers and students marching through Paris. It would eventually lead to the collapse De Gaulle’s government.

‘Thousands of angry Maoist students and tough riot policemen clashed in short but bloody street battles. Long-haired gauchiste (leftist) students in blue jeans and suede jackets stopped motorists in the Latin Quarter and flipped their cars over to form makeshift barricades. Rocks, bricks and chunks of metal flew at the cops, who responded with lightning baton charges that left hundreds injured, including many innocent passersby. Nearly 1,000 students were arrested.’
Time magazine reporting on the Night of the Barricades.