France is somewhat infamous for its preferred method of showing discontent: the strike.
This past week we had another round of general lack of public transport, spotty mail delivery and the all important manifestations (protests). However, during these particular days of discontent (they're were grèves a little earlier this year as well), it hit a little closer to home, namely the university I attend.
Background: France prides itself on an equality of access to education and has many public universities that most young French citizens attend, BUT there exists the type of 'grands écoles' such as SciPo that are a little harder to get into and are a kind of mix of public and private funding, employ many profs from outside professions, making it a little more unique, and some would say elitist. For example, during grèves universities usually don't have class because students and profs are on strike, but SciPo goes on with business as usual.
So that brings us to this past week. The security at the main entry to uni had been tightened up lately, checking ID cards and whatnot, but Tuesday and Thursday, students from the other public universities in Paris stopped by, flooded the entryway, protesting the lack of equality in education, entered the main lecture hall (boutmy), and started discussions, banner waving, and general chanting. The student population was 'evacuated' and classes were canceled for the rest of the evening.
Videos below for some of the action :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-FktSIR3vE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vbubjwrc-Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv2rgDUhXpI
la reve generale ;)
xxoo
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