Paris's cobblestones and barricades

Traditionally, one of the most secure occupations in France is cobblestone replacement.

The Greeks might have given the world the concept of democracy, and the British might have given the world the actuality of parliamentary democracy, but it's the French who know how to take it to the streets. The current round of protests over unjust industrial legislation is a wonder to behold. The French don't demonstrate for just an afternoon, they keep it going every day for a week.

Well, seeing yesterday, April 4, was the birthday of Danny the Red, one of France's most memorable street activists and the most brilliant leader of Paris 1968, I thought I'd put his face up here today.

I also thought I'd post some of my favourite Parisian slogans of 1968, because they're as great today as they were then:

L'ennui est contre-révolutionnaire.
Boredom is counterrevolutionary.

Pas de replâtrage, la structure est pourrie.
No replastering, the structure is rotten.

Le patron a besoin de toi, tu n'as pas besoin de lui.
The boss needs you, you don't need the boss.

Soyez réalistes, demandez l'impossible!
Be realistic, demand the impossible!

On achète ton bonheur. Vole-le.
Your happiness is being bought. Steal it.

Sous les pavés, la plage!
Beneath the pavement, the beach!

More slogans

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