The 1984 mobilization for free schools is remembered.
She is recalled every time the “school war” threatens to resurface, as it does today during the controversies surrounding the Stanislas school in Paris and the setbacks of the new Minister of National Education, Amélie Oudéa. -Castera.
The movement reached its peak on June 24 with more than a million people marching in the streets of Paris in defense of freedom of education.
An unexpected success for a segment of the population unaccustomed to hitting the streets.
Alongside parents, private school teachers and members of the Church, right-wing parties are taking advantage of the windfall.
What did socialist minister Alain Savary want?
Establish a large “unified and secular public service of national education”, as promised in François Mitterrand's program in 1981. Faced with the bronca, the latter announced in July the withdrawal of the project.
Six months after the first demonstration on January 22, 1984 in Bordeaux.
Le Figaro
, natural support of the protesters, was there.
Article published in Le Figaro on January 23, 1984
“
The free school will live.
» We lacked neither conviction nor imagination yesterday in Bordeaux to shout it in the street.
An impressive demonstration, unprecedented in the capital of the Aquitaine region.
Tens of thousands of people had already gathered at the start of the afternoon on the Place des Quinconces.
A forest of banners with thousands of umbrellas mingling from time to time.
Dignity and determination on a mobilizing theme: “I want to choose my school.”
In the front row, President Jacques Chaban-Delmas and his wife.
The deputy mayor of Bordeaux declared to me: “
The government has made a serious mistake by rekindling the school war.
But he has to do it.
His decision corresponds to commitments.
In the current state of the political situation, this government needs to strengthen itself on a few very strong anchor points.
It’s disastrous for the country even though we managed to keep the private and public sectors going.
This is the real problem... The government cannot ignore this deployment of force in the streets
.”
Le Figaro of January 23, 1984. Le Figaro
The heart of Bordeaux for free school
For hours, tens of thousands of men and women marched in tight ranks on the city's main courtyards, chanting: “
The free school will live.
No to injustice.
» The organizers' most optimistic forecasts were quickly exceeded.
“
We didn't expect so much
,” said Pierre Daniel, president of UNAPEL.
“It's tremendous support for our cause, a cry for freedom that must be taken into account
.”
A fight whose objective was summed up on the placards and banners of the delegations which waved above their heads.
"
Freedom of school education
"... "
With the SPTELC
"... "
Liberty, justice
"... "
Yes to free choice
"... Signs and banners gradually became soaked as the parade slowly progressed. The efficient security service was never overwhelmed.
It is true that yesterday the heart of Bordeaux belonged to the free school.
The procession stretched out at a walking pace.
There were 60,000 demonstrators, perhaps more. A model and well-prepared gathering.
No provocations.
Just one or two “
Savary, resignation
”.
There is no question of destabilizing the regime, but of defending a fundamental freedom.
Senator Valade, dean of the Faculty of Sciences of Bordeaux, general advisor and deputy mayor
By whole buses, by full trains, by car and on foot, we had come to gain school peace and not to play troublemakers.
“
It is out of the question to destabilize the regime
,” Senator Valade, dean of the Faculty of Sciences of Bordeaux, general councilor and deputy mayor, told me, “
but to defend a fundamental freedom.
»
“
The free school will live
.”
The sound system left a little to be desired.
No matter, everyone shouted with enthusiasm without rhythm.
“
You understand
,” explained a young woman, “
we’re not used to it yet, it’s the first time we’re marching.
» Model demonstration however, financed by the sale of some 350,000 badges.
This meeting in Bordeaux will mark a date in the defense of freedom of education.
“
Yes to negotiating on certain points, no to abdication.
» This is the major concern of the moment.
A wind of freedom
The hours passed, the sky grew darker and the mobilization of the crowd grew stronger and stronger.
Three anars wanted to create a diversion by throwing leaflets on which one could read: “
God does not exist, go home
.”
No further action... All the diocesan leaders, those responsible for private education, the priests and the discreet and smiling good sisters, parents, children, with one voice, sang of freedom at the foot of the statue of the Girondins .
Dusk was coming.
The Place des Quinconces, the largest in Europe, was still full of people.
Never seen before in Bordeaux.
A crowd united by the same ideal beyond slight differences, divisions which appeared ridiculous here.
“
Yes
,” said a speaker,
“the free school will live because it is necessary to the life of the nation.
We are not brought together by a determination of worry, we are gathered by a determination of hope.
» Arms were raised for a “V” for victory.
This success is already a first battle won.
Freedom of school and freedom of the press: same fight.
A protester
“
Freedom cannot be sold off.
Freedom cannot be received.
Freedom must be conquered
,” declared on the microphone a representative of the inter-union of heads of private education establishments.
On the podium, which was damp to say the least, Jacques Chaban-Delmas and many elected officials, girded with their tricolor scarves, also braved the wind and the downpour.
We were just intoning: "
A wind of freedom
"... A small sign proclaimed: "
France, your freedoms are leaving
"... This is also the opinion of an old gentleman who affirms: "
The freedom of School and freedom of the press: same fight.
No, we cannot tie up the French with impunity.
We do not compromise on certain fundamental principles.
»
Shocking speech by the president of UNAPEL, Pierre Daniel.
A pathetic appeal to the Minister of National Education: “
Be careful, because of you, your intentions, the harmful influences that you seem to be subject to, our country already hears the rumbling of the school war!
Respect our identity... The tension is rising too high... Stop your attacks
.”
Night has fallen.
A final cry: “
The free school will live
”, and the dispersion begins.
Final recommendation: “
Let us remain vigilant, but vigilant within the legality.
» Yesterday, in Aquitaine, the proponents of a liberal society made it known that they were not ready to submit to the yoke of a certain totalitarianism.
Leave Lucien Miard