1968 Closing of the Sorbonne

50 years ago, on May 6, 1968, in connection with the street riots in Paris, which lasted from May 1, the French authorities closed the University of Paris, which turned into a center of protests.

Students protested against the government's intention to introduce entrance examinations at universities and thereby limit access to higher education (previously anyone could study at the university). The most popular slogans among the students were "Forbid forbidden" and "Love is free".

On the same day, working youth joined the students, demanding higher wages and shorter working hours. The number of protesters reached 30 thousand. On May 7, a general strike of students began. The protesters actively used anarchist and Marxist slogans, including their Maoist version.