From late 1986 to early 1987, mass student protests and strikes across

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

erupted after the government attempted to sign the into law. Riots and looting occurred throughout the city of

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

but spread to 3 other cities.

Background

Protests

Mass rallies were held nationwide after a series of protests and peaceful demonstrations, led by 600,000 students and young civilians living in suburbs in

and surrounding towns against the death of Death of Malik Oussekine, a Franco-Algerian student who did not participate in protests and was killed in custody and demanded the withdrawal of the Devaquet law. Working-class strikes and

Occupations Occupation commonly refers to: *Occupation (human activity), or job, one's role in society, often a regular activity performed for payment * Occupation (protest), political demonstration by holding public or symbolic spaces *Military occupation, t ...

occurred in 50 areas nationwide after tense protests in the central of

and inspired other sectors to protest. Protesters rallied on 5 December, the biggest protest movement yet. Workers and students participated in huge

Marches In medieval Europe, a march or mark was, in broad terms, any kind of borderland, as opposed to a state's "heartland". More specifically, a march was a border between realms or a neutral buffer zone under joint control of two states in which diffe ...

against the law. On 6 December, Malik Oussekine, a bystander who was not participating in the demonstrations, was killed by police. Subsequently, and police reforms became a topic of concern, and police violence against demonstrators became questionable among protesters. Protests broke out against his death. Widespread social unrest broke out on 7 December, after the death of Malik. Protests turned into escalating tensions and student demonstrations turned violent.

Riot police Riot police are police who are organized, deployed, trained or equipped to confront crowds, protests or riots. Riot police may be regular police officers who act in the role of riot police in particular situations, or they may be separate unit ...

clashed with demonstrators marching in downtown

in protest at the killing. Protesters rallied again throughout early-January 1987, after a series of protests the month before. Students rioted again and reminders of the

May 1968 The following events occurred in May 1968: May 1, 1968 (Wednesday) *In Dallas, at its first meeting since its creation through a merger, the United Methodist Church removed its rule that Methodist ministers could not drink alcohol nor sm ...

movement was rising. After chaotic scenes during 3 weeks of nonviolent-turned violent demonstrations, the protests ended with 200 injured and one killed.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:France protests, 1986-1987 Riots and civil disorder in France Student protests in France 1986 protests 1987 protests

Background

Protests

See also

References