worker-student action committees, france may '68 - roger gregoire and fredy perlman

7/28/2019 Worker-Student Action Committees, France May '68 - Roger Gregoire and Fredy Perlman

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rof f icersnorfunc tionariesof

ctionCommittees;neitherpresidents

ement;neitherspokesmennor

olutionaries.

hometatthebarricadesand

ojectwith eachotheraswith

tsactiveinParis inMayand

ac countof theMay- une

todesc ribeaspectac le, nora

ghten futuregenerations. O ur

t,to ourselvesandtothose

me project,ourshortcomings,

ckof action.Ouraimis

hichourconcreteactions

yproject.

is topermitusto move

therevolutionaryproject,

situationsimilar tothe

urintentionisnotto c larify

ichtookplacein rancein

ual repetitionofthese

astthelimited viewswe

mewewereengagedinthem,

fromfurtheractionin dif-

saccountandcritiqueof

sametimeacritiqueofshort-

lvesandin thosealongside

wards.

two parts.Thefirst

chareattemptsto under-

ok placeandtodefinethe

ctions.The perspectivesbe-

otprivatephilosophieswhichwe

a soc ialmovement ; theyare

twomilitants.Theyare not

chedhistorians imposeonevents

pectivesarethebasison

erevolutionaryproject.W e

s e ternalobservers report-

ewereourselvesin-

e described,andourper-

eeventsinwhichweparticipated.

econstraintsofcapitalist

universityoccupations,the

eciselybecausethecollec-

heothers,was alsohis

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ehis perspectives,hisproject,

veproject.Consequently,

spectives,theentiregroup s

odified,transformed,sincethe

istsintheindividualswho

dthus transformit.The

hiche istsinour headsand

hemovement, norisitsome-

e c ollec tivemindof themove-

dualsengagedthemselvesina

otherindividualsaccepted

ndengagedthemselvesinit;

ctiveprojectonlywhennumer-

dengagedthemselvesinit.

grew larger,Individualswith

encesdefinednewactivities

dconsequentlycontributednew

ersengagedintheproject;

tialdirectionsforthe entire

quentlytheperspectivesofanactive

entwereinnowaye ternalto

kletis acritical

ndperspectives;itisan

ractionsdidnot leadtothe

> ( 0 Ti .

i T< , H A i ,M Z >


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eourselvesinthesame manner

ence

evolutionaryproject

ntsmadeusawarethatour en-

the March22Movementhad

mofthe N anterremilitants

minatesocialobstacles

creativeactivity,andthe

minatingconcreteobstacles.

erofpeoplewhobecamethe move-

elvesinadifferentmanner.They

asthosewho hadtomove

acles.Inthissensethey

nedamovement, theybec ame

tivitywhich,theythought,

Byjoiningthe movement,

stomovewithit. A sare-

oaretheonlyoneswhocan

erenotgoingtochange

oncreteactivity;theywere

ousforce " themass, the

hichwasgoingtotransformreality. Thus

anineiistentpower.


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buildthebarricades,anddug

eythrewine changeforpolice

atinQ uarterofPariswas

gcontinued;alargede-

w ingnewspaper L e igaro

sattemptstomobilizeviolence

lagsappearedatthe front

rations, TheInternational was

c ried L ong ivethe(Paris)

stratorsdemandanim-

versities,andtheimmediate

omthe atinQ uarter. Thou-

yyoungworkers,occupythe

nQ uarterandconstruc tover

tof riday,Mayl0,city

alforceschargeonthe

umberofdemonstrators,as

ouslyinjured.

newspapers,includingthe

' H umanite, hadcharac terizedthe

tinygroups and adventurist

ver, af terthepolicerepressionof

dunioncallsfora general

ityofthe policeandsup-

enalmostamillionpeople

ofParis onMayl3,stu-

earethetinygroups "

dayMayIk,themovement

niversityandinto thefac-

ud-Aviation,manufac-

cupiedbyits ownworkers.

studentsandworkerstake

nchnationaltheater,plant

kflagsonthedome,and

re limitedtotheeconomic

meday numerousplants

ccupiedbytheirworkers,in-

oducerRenault.

veroftheRenaultplant,

nizea6-milemarchtodemon-

studentswiththeworkers.

c hisaredflag, andontheir

singthe International

ePolic e tate, Downwith

Thisisonlythebeginning;c ontinue


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eentrancetotheRenault

ersstandingontheroof of

chingstudents.H owever,the

onwhichhadtakenchargeof

isguardedlyhostileto

s,andpartyspokesmenare

entswhocallonworkersto

selvesdirectly,insteadof

dspeakfor them.

inuetobroadcastthat

yc onc ernedw ithf inale amina-

clusivelyconcernedwithim-

organizeCommitteesofA c-

onscontinuetospread.

; . - - ^ " '

T A N T

W

ON T O S

S E

M B

ncommitteesestablishcontactswith

etsinformworkersofthe

mocracywhichthestudentsare

rscontinueto bere-

bytheunions,andthe unions

msfromthestateandfrom the

,the students refusalto

ofanye ternalcontrol,

entedbyanybodysmaller

y,iscontinuallytransmitted

the tudentsandWorkers

C H I N E S

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ac tories

takenpowerin rance s

cterized,inthepast,by

nterest.Theconflicting

dbyfactoryowners,bythe

iththeoccupationofthe

avediminished,butthey

dthedifferencescontinueto

dform,withintheoccupied

en,themaincon-

hworkersandforeignworkers.

totheformsofe -

t,oftheconflictofin-

ogroups.

y f romPortugal, pain,

A f ric a, workedforwageswhic h

thanhalf thesizeof

es.Theforeignworkershadno

reignersdonotknow

formthemselveseitherof

galforms.Theuniondid

em. econdly,numerous

eitnearlyimpossiblefor

ein Paris,andsentthem

saftertheyhad spentthe

wsavedintheirowncountries

words,theforeignworker

p hishumanityinorder

y,theforeignworkeris

sjobevenif hisvery

manbeing isinquestion,

dtodefine himselfasa

ticallydehumanized,thesework-

edbytheownersof rance s

rkfor lowwages,they

cale;willingtoworkunder

usedtobreakstrikes.

of the renchworkers,

daconstantthreat.A n

rkerhadtocompetewithforeign-

erwagesinworsecondi-

rs,privilegedintermsoftype

andwages,couldstrike

atthefactoryownersand

rikeasaprete ttoreplac e

ers.


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? < 6 T T OB e A tf A U t T/ MT

oMV J K t

tiveprivileges

oftheforeignworkers,

pedpsychologicaloutlookswhich

cism.

on(theC.G.T.)didnot

ualizetheconditionsofthe

e renchworkers.Thisis

ontractsofmostofthefo-

andtheforeignworkerscould

ttheforeignworkersdid not

the CommunistParty.And

ontributedtoafurtherworsening

situationbycollaboratingwith

eforeigners,andevenby

rsasthegreatestthreatto

ss.

presentclashofthe

movementfordirectdemocracy,

union isnottheunif ied

factoryoraregion,and it

llofalltheworkers. The

artic ulargroupofpeoplewho

ers,whospeakfortheworkers,


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eworkers.Thismeansthata

rydemocracywhichseeksnew

pressionof thewillofall

e,throughageneralassemblyof

theverye istenceofthe

Themovementforrevolutionary

dbystudents,affirmsthe

workers,namelytheentire

ywhichcanspeakfor,and

rkers.Inthisconception

renchCommunistParty)would

anizationanda pressuregroup

ower.Thisisthereasonthe

stPartyasawhole)hasconsis-

andtriedtoput anendto

ndthereasonwhyunionfunc-

entanyform ofcontactbe-

ts.Inthisstrugglewith the

heCommunistParty,viewedby

epitomeofevil,has foughtfor

chniqueslongfamiliarto

uencedbythestudent

anddirectself-governmentwere

ommonwiththestudents,namely

lypoliticizedworkers.The

eneithertheoldparty

tedandsupere ploitedforeign

elyprivilegedyoung rench

workerswhotakepart in

sofdirectdemocracyandthe

ndstatismwhichtakeplace

sityofParis.A nditis

first tocallforstrikesin

hegoalsof thestrikeas

mandstatismby asystemof

democracy.

rringinthefactory

ariesbehavelikeA merican

s.Theunionfunctionaries

head ofwhattheyc allthe

,andinsteadofspeakingofaradical

o-economicsystem,theyspeak

toryowners(whohavede

d)forhigherwages. A ndin

elvestheonlylegitimate

s,unionfunctionariesemploy

uspolitics whichc onsistsof

onof thec onflic tsbetweenthe

dlevelsofworkersin thefac-


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shavebeenconvincedtomove

oc c upy it, unionof f icialsc lose

dentsstandingoutside,and

aryworkersontheinside.

olatetheyoungworkersfrom

ungworkersase tremistad-

epolicerunning intothe

gnworkersbyinsinuating

tingfortheimprovementof

ers,andifthe unionfails,

ightlosetheir hard-wonjobs

toreturntotheir countries.

courageofthestudents

of the renchpopulation,the

tesbetweenmildsupportand

nordertopreventtherevolu-

alpoliticalformsdevelopedby

ntotheworkingclass,the

ratingwiththestate,collabor-

emy (thefactoryowners), and

finterestamongtheworkers

ploitedbythecapitaliststate

cupiedbyall its

estheonlyspokesmanforthe

hiletheworkersasa whole

theirownfactoriesand to

theworkershavenotyetde-

oughwhichtodiscussand

ntdecisions.Inthisvacuum,

onsinsteadofthe workers,

nstotheworkersthrough

epresentwriting,the Com-

fortheworkersthat thee -

tobereturnedtotheir owners

wages.


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ee--1

bornthroughout ranceat

alfa centuryofleft-wing

theirmilitantsfromevery

omsocialdemocratsto

ommitteesgivenewlifetogoals

listmovement,theygivenew

whic he istedin uropedur-

on,andtheyintroduceintothe

ethernewformsoflocalpar-

ialactivity.

velopment,during

y,ofacommittee(the

tionCommittee C itroen)whosepri-

the studentmovement w iththe

omobileplantsinand around

ecommitteerepresent-

oenplantscalledfora

n.Thefactoryownersim-

atepowerstotakethemeasures

rtheassuranceofthe free-

esstothefactoriesforthose

eMonde. May23, l96 . )

erscalledfor police

ungworkersandteacherswho

htthepoliceon thestreets

troenA c tionCommittee atthe

ersityofParis.The first

mitteewastocooperatewiththe

teeinbringingaboutan occupa-

ctionCommittee slong-term

outarevolutionarysituation

structionofcapitalistso-

ewsocialrelations.

eniscomposedofyoung

kersandintellectualswho,from

is articlewaspublishedin

196 .


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17/100

nsthat

e

* < * < * <

t0 i < i IT

i t

i * ,H i 6H l 2

T rtA T s M 7 r> . s ,

t os s . uR > T yf < m ca Ti ou s

, TO T L L r t W / + V

- 7 7 < f cfc

TlO o youiZ cCRA 27-

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rttotranslatethe written

anguagesofthe foreignwork-

tenedtothe loudspeakers

mesevenhostility.

fficialsstoppedtryingto

ommitteeagitators;infact,the

agitators.A mongthemili-

oplewhospokethelanguagesof

eyoungpeoplemingledfreely

Ontheotherhand,the union

ucrats,wereinstitutionally

the workers:yearsofprac-

pertsatreadingspeechesinto

udspeakerswerenotleading

oung

e

ac tory

nc-

peakers

mbers

e.The

t

nica-

ork-

mittee

ign

c-

P H t ^

mittee

thefollowingmorningto talk

Onceagaintheyfoundthem-

rgeredflagflewoutsidethe

gmilitantsfoundthegate

trancestothefactories

plainedtheywereunder

o n s a n d th e C. P . s c e nt r al

entsorother outsiders nside

tatorse plainedthatthey

thefactory soccupation,

efacesofthe unionfunction-

ctionCommitteehadan

mittee smemberswerefurious.

adcooperatedwiththe

nopenconfrontation.Their


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madenodifferencetotheunion

ilitantshadmerelyletthem-

ctionaries,andonceusedup,

abouttimeto confrontthe

teedraftedanewleaflet,one

rstopush pasttheunionand

ntotheir ownhands.

on guardsatthefactory

allnumberofworkersread

mongtheseworkerstherewere

ontake-overinsidethefac-

attendingthemeetingsof the

eeandparticipatinginthepo-

bonneandCensier.

nCommitteetogetherwith

t orbonneandCensiercomposed

kersinsidethefactories.

eadersis nowveryclear;

e,theytry toisolatethe

dethefactories,andthey

able,lateron,toforce

greementswhichtheunions

, theleaflete plains. H ow-

, thepoliticalpartiesand

eoriginofthestrike. The

estrikersthemselves,whether

sreason,theworkershaveto

orkorganizations.A ll

nitein aPermanentGeneral

ssembly, theworkersthemselvesw ill

onandtheirgoals.

f GeneralA ssemblies

entsanappealtoe propriate

yanappealforinsurrection.

eneralA ssemblyasthedecision

ctory,thepowerofthe state,

nionceasestobelegitimate.

A ssemblyofalltheworkers

eonlylegitimatedecision-

bypassed,thecapitalistis

nionceasestobethe spokesman

essimplyanotherpressure

ssembly.

heseideastotheworkers

ctionCommitteedrafteda

typercentof thefac tory s

ncetheforeignworkerslive

providedforthemby the

MnCommitteedecidedtoreach

.Theforeignworkerswere

r livingquarterssincethey


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nsportthemselvestothefac-

factoriesisalsofurnished

wasobviouslynotbeingfur-

nceivedduringaperiod

inParis,mostofthe parti-

othehousingcenters.

weresuggestedbytheA ction

eforeignworkers. irstof

eencouragedtohelpthose

orworker-controlofthe

orwage-raises.A ndsecond-

eencouragedtoorganize

mmitteesinordertocopewith

s.

sprojectinitiatedandsti-

ctivitiesamongtheforeign

ng quarters,courseswere

erswhoknowno rench.In

e,theoccupationcommitteeofthe

rantedaroomtoa newlyformed

ugoslavworkers.Theroomwasto

sand renchlessons.In

rganizedtoprotectthemselves

ythelandlord s(namely

ousing center.Insomeofthe

repoorworkershadrunout

uckswerefound totrans-

hocontributeditat nocost.

dbetweentheforeignworkers

kersinsidethefactories.

ncouragedtojoin renchworkers

tories.Oneache cursion

CitroenA ctionCommittee

workersnottolet themselves

by thefactoryowners.

eentheCitroenA ction

orkers,theCommittee sinter-

ar.When thecommitteemembers

tionoftheownersandthe

powerinsidethefactories,

poweroverthefactorywould

whohadworkedinit,whether

dwhensomeforeignworkerssaid

ceforashorttimeandwouldsoon

Committeemilitantsansweredthat

ntwasnottodecapitatemerely

odecapitatecapitalismassuch,

ants,thewholeworldwas


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ndcapitalistswilldefinethe

n,soas topreventtheirre-

ytheseauenceofevents,so

ceofMay l96 . Inordertore-

freaction,the Mayrevolu-

demorethan souvenirs;they

almodelsbehindthespecific

willhavetoanalyzethe con-


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hichledtoa suddencon-

chstatecapitalismandadeter-

ementcaughtbothsidesbysur-

repared-Butthemomentof

the revolutionaries;the

eofthebriefpause toe -

at onlyonesidegained

ndable;therevolutionaries

o theune plored,theunknown,

order wereabletofallbac k

calformsofrepression.

entrushedforwardattre-

acertainline,andthen,sudden-

perhapsafraidoftheun-

noughtoallowthe enormous

ushthemovementback,dis-

flectionnowbeginsonboth

beginningtodefinethe

eyaredeterminedtogo be-

Theyhadcomesoc lose, andyet

Tomanyitwasclearthat

dbeentaken,that theline

hatthe seahadinfactbegun

manyitwasnotsurprising

nforced,thateffortstostem

aken. Whattheyhadnote -

wlyandpainfullyaccepted,

uldbegintoebb.Theyac-

nbecausetheyknew,asthey

e,thatashighasthe tidehad

dhadcome,theseawould

force,thetide wouldhaveto

ach thelevelofthedam

enwarned;onemust

the necessaryprecautions.

rcracksinthe damthrough

hedwillbeundertakenbyboth

beadocumentationofa par-

revolutionthatfailed.

mentation,rulingclasseswill

venttherecurrenceofthesame

onariescannotusethedo-

the preparationofafuture

lnotbefound twiceinthe

beenrepaired,andthe entire

futuretidalwavewill

,crackswhichareas in-

defendersoftheoldorder.

rganizationswhichplanto

rackinthe damareboundto

ustheir centralcommittees,


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methatthe directors or

nspiratorialgroupw illheableto

torsofthe establishedorder

e,theestablishedorderisfar

nvestigationthanany con-

hroughwhichcracksthe

Thetaskofrevolutionarytheory

;thetaskofrevolutionary

dalwave.Ifthesea re-

gpopulation,andifthe tidal

inationtore-appropriateall

hichhavebeenalienatedto

tsatalllevelsofsocial life,

nd,andif thedamisimma-

ayinitsentirety.

beenlearned:whatwasmis-

whichcoulddirectalarge

astheconsciousnessandconfi-

ntireworkingpopulationthat

ecttheirsocialactivity.

edthis consciousnessonthe

ctories,theywouldhavepro-

theire ploiters; intheabsence

artycouldhaveorderedthe

esintotheir ownhands.What

sciousnessInthemassof the

epartydisciplineofasmall

ousnesscannotbecreatedbya

nlybya vast,openmovement

ctivitywhichaimonenlyto

alorderbyeliminatingthe

eentireworkingpopulation.


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ee--II

pec tives

oyaboutkOthousand

rroundings.A totalofl500

ethe factories,theowners

ansofmanagementagents,a

eeunion. A bout60perc entof

ctoryworkers,theysaid,

thecomingMondayifpickets

formationwerespreadthrough

ththeCitroenworkers,Censier

ttobe distributedthefollow-

lants.

S ON S PA S A RR T R

C E S T CH N IQ U S .

T D S A T L I R P OPU A I R S !

o f a l on g f ig h t.

n I L D O

bestoppedby

spush

ps

talPress(V ol.6,N o.27),

3 -6 8 .


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rday,theCGT(GeneralCon-

ributedaleafletcallingfora

andingaminimumwageof600 N F

onth. Numerousfac toriesallover

nstrike. A tC itroentheCGThada

astheCGTtakingtheinitiative,

aincontrolofa movement

beenoutofits control

theOccupation

mmitteeshadbeenfunc-

ersinceMayl3- A fterthe

theCitroenworkersandthestu-

asformed.TheCitrofcnA ction

eafletsforMay20,onead-

s,theothertotheforeign

tories.Thecommittee saim

ofthe studentmovementwhich

istsystemandallformsof

notchallengetheunion

nthecontrary,theleaflets

emandschallengedthecapi-

ythestudentshad challenged

danawarenessofthecommon

thestudents,an enemywho

esstheworkerscontrolledthe

cupationofthefactorieswas

rdsworkers power.

trike.

workshops.Thismassive,

beyondtheestablishedPower s

icesystemwhichoppres-

together.

onCommitteeshavebeencon-

hesecommitteesbring

ndallthechallengesof

rkingclass.Thecapital-

esedemands.

dinfourlanguages,was

ers:

offoreignworkersareim-

modityusefultotheca-

entevenorganizesclan-

Portugal,thusshowingit-


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orkersofthe CitroPn

fletsandtalkedtoworkersat

trofenfactories.Thefirst

ftheCGTwerenegative.The

thedistributionof the

sthatthe varietyofleaflets

he workersandwouldcreate

better, thedelegatessaid,

rnaltothefac torywentaway:

ete ttothemanagement.

umberoftheCommunist

eswhohadcometogivea

eree ternaltothefactory,

n anyoftheCitroenplants.

eafletswhichdemanded,

nimumwageof l, 000N ( 200),

chastheyhadsought twodays

egatescommunicated

speakers.Thestudents ofthe

eotherhand,mi edfreelywith

workers. inc etheforeignwork -

GT callstooccupythefac-

cidedtousethe students.

waythe young agitators,

heactioncommitteemilitants

nalcontactwiththeforeign

hoursof directcommunication

e foreign,workerswereinside

cipatinginitsoccupation.

yTheCGT

of theoccupation,the

tsfoundallthegatesofthe

delegatesdefendedtheen-

oateurs. Thustheyoungmili-

contactstheyhadhadbe-

ungworkersinsidethefactory

nstthethreatswhichwere

se ternaltothefactory . The

Boss.Theuniondid allitcould

ecomingawareofthefactthat

orywasafirst steptoward

owners.Tostruggleagainst

rce,theactioncommitteeaddres-

anewleaflet:

fac tories. ouarenolonger

orbythee -owners.


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o controlyou.

ouhastherighttospeak.

O UD P A K E R P A K O R O U.

akersproposeamotion,

handforeign,musthave

ther motions.

R , h a ve t h e po we r . o u h av e t he

oduce,howmuchandfor

R , c o nt r ol y o ur f a ct o ri e s. D o n t

awayfromyou.

ontactswiththe out-

allowyoutolearn

cratizationtakingplace

eoplearenottry ingto

olyou.

vetobeopenedupto all

lasstudents,inorderto

sionstogether.

vethesameobjectives.

heuniversitiesarealready


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insteadofyou,if the

hedecisions we1havemade,

udspeakersarenot working

pulatingyou.

edbyseveralactioncommit-

Thisleafletcalledfor the

mbliesofalltheworkerswhich

dpreventanysmall groupfrom

e workersandfromnegotiating

gclass:

officialswerenot

.The decisionswere

tobemade,bythe strikers

yareunionizedornot... .

CGTand tocontinueits

tion,theCitroencommittee

cts:actionswithforeignwork-

ormitories;contactswith

the factories;liaison

orkersatthedifferentCitroen

ory

terrefactories,dailymeet-

eworkersandtheactioncom-

meetingswasa basicpoli-

reof thestudentmovement

e.Thefactoryworkersbe-

ousthatthestrikehadbecome

reintoatraditionalunion

emobilizationandthede-

whichhadbeenaccompanied

ttheBalardfactory,atnight,

mberofyoungpeopledefended

ngworkers attemptstoor-

theunionbureaucracy,either

sitionorintheform of

s.

workersattemptedtobreak

contactedmilitantsofthe

catic Confederationof abor)who

workerc ontacts, buttheC DT s

therthanrevolutionary;the

st newmembers,andthepo-

vementamongtheworkersmade

yunion toassociatewith

econdly,theyoungworkers

antswhowantedtoworkwithin


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mongtheworkersofdifferent

uchcontactscouldnottakeplace

efactoryhadbecomeanim-

dbytheunionbureaucracy,which

econtactsamongtheworkers.

ht forfreee pressionandfor

changes.

posedby theactioncom-

oreignworkersattheir dor-

spectstothesecontacts:they

thestruggle byincluding

ikepickets,andthecontacts

withthee haustingstruggle

e-breakers,whoweregene-

pulatedbythemanagementof

rkersweremanipulablebe-

yunpoliticized,uninformed;on

nagementhadcalledthemto-

work.

Dormitories

workersenabletheowners

ice,namelyduringthedayand

arters aremanagedbyCitroen

oneenter,evenmembersofthe

re ample, atthedormitoryat

soutofParis,the workers

ntswithfourteenpeoplein

partment.Theassignmentof

onearbitrarily.Thus ugo-

with panishandPortuguese

arelyabletocommunicatewith

fferentshiftsandin dif-

rkerspay l50N ( 30)permonth.

ry,thefactoryclears50,000N F

mmitteewhospokethelan-

blishedcontactsatthedor-

theforeignworkersaboutthe

oestablishconnectionsbetween

rkers.Theaimof thecom-

orkersto organizethemselves

ordertocopewiththeir spe-

othefactories,food,the

ssiveconditionsinsidethe

renc hcomrades. renc h

ganizedinseveralcentersaf-

hemselvesintocommitteesand

ystudent-occupieduniversities

n theslumandghetto


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asantsanddistributedbyac-

ntopoorworkersandtheirfa-

eforeignworkerswerein-

msusedby theemployersto

reign workersasstrike-

eignworkerswereputincontact

kanactivepart intheoccu-

nswastoenable,and

rganizationamongtheworkers.

ers,isolatedinthefactory,

ndingthefactoryagainstall

nionhadgiventhe orderto

adignifiedmanner inc aseany-

ase plainedintermsofthe

heC itroenA c tionCommittee

kets outsidethefactory, andonone

defendedthefac tory f romanat-

dtoughshiredbythe ownersto

trikers.

mittees

workerswenttothe Censier

ththeactioncommittees,and

hecharacteroftheCitrofe nCom-

erspectivesfororganizationand


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mselvesinsidethefactory.

oenCommitteewiththeInter-

ndwithworkersfromtheRhone

penedfurtherperspectives.

miliarizedtheworkersof

organizationofrank-and-file

kenplaceverysuccessfullyinside

simmediate.Citroenworkers

nd-fileorganizations,where

erovertherunningofthestrike

sthemselves,wasthesolution

cedduring thestrike.H ow-

e Citroenworkersbecame

ulencrank-and-filecommit-

elaunchingof suchanorgan-

oen,sincethiswasoneof

rike,andsincethestrike

nionstrike.

rs,whocalledoncomrades

eire ample,alsopointed

ercouldnotbe realizedun-

ationwase tendedtoother

.A ndduringthetimewhen

erelearningof thee perienc esof

memembersoftheCitroenCom-

tablishcontactswiththe

guegroupedaround iat, thelargest

Turin, informationwase -

ofthe workersinItaly,on

esposedby theunionsin

significanceoftheaction

ationofrank-and-filecommit-

rkercontrolopenedup perspec-

urin.A sabasisfor further

stablishedaregulare change

urnalsandletters),e -

s,anddirectcontactsbywork-

mradesarrivedinParis from

similarcontactswiththe

omemembersoftheCitroenCom-

hercountries(suchas ng-

tes)inordertogeneralizethe

emands

2, aftertheCGTreac hedan

nmanagement,workersinthe

pposedthereturntoworksought

edforcesinorderto prepare

Monday.Theworkersprepared


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dthat, intermsof theunion s

ghadbeenreceivedbythework-

onsidersitselfsatisfiedwith

nagers,alargemajorityof

ecrumbsreceiveddonotcor-

sofstruggle nortothe

neralstrike,are readyto

edifferentleafletsopposed

edistributed.TheCGTofficials

kerswillingtodistributetheir

ceshadpassedto theopposi-

officialswerebooedduringthe

orkerse pressedthemselves

esbyworkersopposedtothe

meeting,a unionrepresenta-

ecauseofthe booing,demanded

democracy,andthendenounced

mas thosewhowanttowavethe

sshigherthantheCGT.


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cttothematerialde-

ntwiththeunion,causedthe

ha problemwhichhadbeen

ognCommittee,namelythe

ntactionshouldtakeplace

it.A largenumberofun-

yingtoconcentratetheirforce

anization-Oncetheproblem

e CitroenCommitteewouldbe

ethe perspectivesforaction

mitse perience.

rs, theCitroenA c tionCommittee

nformation.Within thecon-

eworkersareable tocoordinate

k-and-filecommitteesin

s.A ttheweeklymeetingswith

e,theInter- nterpriseCommittee,

similarorganizationalefforts

terprises,and throughtheir

nabouttheeffortsofautomobile

.Theworkersareawarethat

nceoftherank-and-filecom-

pressioninanotherperiodof

ommitteesareseenasabasis

nofthefactories,accompanied

rt oftheworkersthattheyare

nsidetheplants (namelythat

kornegotiatefor themassof

eoccupation,accompaniedbythe

softheirpowerasaclass,is the

obeginappropriating,namely

roductionasanovert mani-

eactof overtappropriation

bythe workerswillhavetobe

edarmeddefenseofthefactories,

lltry toregainthefac-

withwhatremainsofitsarmy.

abolishthecapitalistsystem

by foreignarmies,theworkers

struggletothe principalcen-

ystem.Onlyat thatpoint

ontroloverthematerialconditions

hatpointthe buildingofa

ties,withoute changeandwithout

ctionCommittee

edyPerlman)


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( M ic h ig a n) , A u g u st , I 96

entwhichshoweditsheadin

ne, I96 , hasbeenmalignedandmis-

stpress,theCommunistParty

revolutionary 1grouplets.

apitalistpress,thestu-

kecanbe understoodinterms

teristic s ofGaullist rance. A c -

Partypress,theuniversityoc-

strikerepresentareformmove-

ngfora modernuniversity and

nofmaterialdemands,both

a handfulofmadmenandadven-

osome revolutionary grouplets,

ceiseitherane ampleof theef f i-

vanguards and leaders, orelse

ac kofvanguardsandleaders-

ersion:the rise ofthemove-

cyoftherevolutionaryvan-

e illustrateswhathappenstoa

anguard.

n,theRevolutionaryCom-

playedthe c entralleadership

ly5, 196 ). A c c ordingtoanother,

rshiprole(TheMilitant, une21,

athirdversion, theac tionc ommit-

eof centralimportance (The

6 ; . etac c ordingtoslightlydif -

utionaries themovement failed

d;theyconcludeina headline:

utionaryParty tillNeeded andthey

at thegeneralstrikehas

ethatthispaperhasputforward

o c ia l is t W o r ke r L o n do n J u l y, 1 9 6 ) .

drawnintheGuardian, une1,


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donote nlain

ranceinMay,

andfactoryocc upa-

characteristics

id pec uliar c on-

ppearin rance

he normal be-

kersincapital-

dentsfor

kersformore

nwhystudentsand

normally andstart-

e systemof

uneI96 isa

ularitiesof

annotbee plained

es.The social

nessofstudents

sof revolution-

stedbeforeMay, I96 ,

studentrevolt,

smovementde-

lism. omethingnewappearedin

snotregularbut unique,anele-

he normal consciousnessofstu-

mentwhichrepresentedaradical

nbeforeMay,l96 .

kwhichsetoffthe e plo-

madmen whodidnotc onsiderthem-

rypartyora vanguard.The

mentwhichbeganinN anterre

dthe warinV ietnamhasbeen

softhisstudentmovementwere

; theysetoffaproc essofc ontinuous

lvingalargersectorofthe

ocessofescalationwas

anne oftheUniversityof

ers( orbonne). Notaspublicised

iesof theN anterrestudent

hichdevelopedatCensierduring

parallelsandsupplementsthat

men themselvesin:Mouvementdu

undebut. c ontinuonslec ombat(This

et sContinuethe truggle). The

ecentralpartsof thisbookwas

o . 3 , a l l, 1 9 6 .


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t.Thisessaywill trytodescribe

fescalationastheyweree -

bytheoccupantsofCensier.

serc annotbee plainedin

aylife.TheoccupantsofCensier

nscious,passiveobjectsshaped

sofsocialforces;theybecome

swhobegintoshapetheirown

aimatthedestructionof

buttheydonotdefine them-

ectwhowill overthrowca-

ethoseoftheMarch22

aryactions.Theirtaskistocom-

oalargersubject:the workers.

verflowfromtheuniversitytothe

ensieroccupantscreateanew

ntactioncommittees.

ogo beyonditself.The

nsieris nottocreateaself-

atbuilding,buttoset offthe

heoccupationofCensierisa

occupants aimistocreate

eedonthebasis ofwhatis

ebasisofwhatispossible. Radic al

renotnormal,but theyare

withtheslogan anythingispos-

asisofthe potential,notthe

nariesisnot todefine

erevolutionimpossible,butto

hmakerevolutionpossible.

ythemostradical breakof

tthetraditionalWestern ef t,

othe objectiveconditions

y,self-interestanddependence

volutionimpossible.The

nsbypushingbeyondthe objective

whichitshareswithahandful

ndV ietnameserevolutionaries

me whenanyanalysisof

wouldhaveledtoapredic tionof

chrevolutionariesbrokeout

t,theoutlookofthe loser,

rstruggle,likethatof the

mese, wase emplary : thee ample

epopulationwhoarefar

ousthantheinitial revolution-


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dCensier.thisessay

bjectivec onditions of renc h

emplaryactionswhichruptured

deal withtheapathy,self-

whichmaketheself-organization

possible,butwiththe roleof

calbreakwhichmadetheir

;itwillnotdealwiththe con-

municationandcooperationamong

withtherole ofCensierin

tionandcooperationpossible.The

ainwhytheCensiermovement

yitgotas farasit did.

roftheUniversityOccupation

sitystudentsinanindus-

re enraged, itisessential

entsare notenragedaboutthe

etests,butaboutthefact

N T H A T T H

T

S T O

T H E P ec iA L l sT

N H To C E A N


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preparesthemforac ertaintypeof

tiv ity theyrejec t. We

f fromsocialreality.W e

rofitofdirectors.W ewant

ationbetweentheworkofe -

nkingand organizing. lBy

htheeducationformsthem,

etyinwhichthese rolesare

ejec tthissoc ietyof repression

rimplic itly , theUniversity is

nizationofrepression. 2

teacherisan apologistforthe

nerof servantsforthecapital-

echnicianis aservantwhois

ighlyspecializedtasksforhis

ent ofe ploitationwhoseinsti-

thepowerto thinkanddecide

ntsystem,someworkandothers

tadiv isionofsoc iallabor, evenan

imagineadifferentsystem.

andsub-div isionofsociallabor, per-

erstageof economicdevelop-

d.A ndifgrowingspecializa-

birthand progress ofc api-

ed, fore ample, byA dam mith),

alizationbyfuturespecialists

stsociety.

edthatthedivisionofsocial

roupsisatthe rootofaliena-

healienationofpoliticalpower

andthe appropriationofso-

hroughelection,inheritanceor

rulingclass,isthe basisfor

ulers andruled.Thealien-

aborbyproducers,andthe

ofthelaborandits productsby

ction(capitalists),isthebasis

to bossesandworkers,

s, e ploitersande ploited. The

ivitybymostmembersofso-

bya specializedcorpsof

sthebasisforthedivisionof

otre, A c tion. May21, 196 ,

e- tdu13Mai, A c tion, May21,

rviewwith ean-Paul

tionaupouvoir, eN ouvelO bservateur.


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oers,studentsandworkers.

activitybymostpeople,and

tists, div idessoc iety intoac -

rsandspectators.Thespecial-

d disciplines representthesame

omictaskorsocialactivity

rindividualwhodoesnothing

ommunityise cludedfrom

rparticipatingintheper-

ffectstheentirecommunity.

to afactororafunction

nizedsystem(evenifitis an

tem),thestudent1snotdeny-

he tasksandfunctions.H e

partin alltheactivities

denyinganyone srightto rule

orhim,or actforMm.By

stitutionswhichobstruct

sciouscreationofhis social-

estudentpresentshimselfas an

are ruled,decidedfor,thought

emplarystruggleissymbolized

dandaredf l gintheother;

lto allthealienatedand

thesystemofdomination,repres-

oitation.

at6intheevening, militants

mmitteesoc c upytheanne tothe

eCensierCenter. A llnightlong

w,theatmosphereissimilarto

D

E T . W r T A Mf l O t M/


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barricades, notintermsof

e self-organization,theini-

Theuniversityceasestobea

sionofac ulturalheritage, a

rs,e pertsandtrainers,aplace

shers.

omestoanend.Thee -

lding,becomesaplacefor

hefirststepofthis transforma-

ationofthebuilding.The

thee pressionofideas,in-

eativeself-e pressionofthe

auditoriumsthediscussionis

rticipate,andalsoprofessors,

eneighborhood,highschoolers,

pressionisc ontagious. Peoplewho

easbefore,whohaveneverspoken

students,becomeconfidentin

mple ofothersspeaking,

eas,suggestingprojects,which

ntheirownability. Thefood

, isrepresentedatthemeetingsby

hirteen,maybefourteen.H eor-

partintheauditoriums.H e

.H isactionandhisbehavior

edrivelabouthigh-schoolers

. 3

isaprocessofcollective

y, perhapsforthef irsttime,

ng.Peopledonotonly learn

theprojectsofothers;they

mpleofothersthattheyhavespe-

bute,thattheyareableto

caninitiateprojects.There

re perts ; thediv isionbe-

betweenstudentsandworkers,

tall arestudents.W henan

w,tellsthe occupantsthatthe

sillegal,a studenttells

alforane perttodef ine

ayswhenalegale pertde-

cannotdoare over.Theprofes-

ntheprocessofcollective

ve andjointhepoliceto

c t i o n. M a y1 3 , 19 6 , p . 7 .


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versity,e pressionbecomes

ne sabilitytothink,to ini-

nawarenessofone sability

euniversitybecomeconscious

we vedec idedtomakeour-

-Theoc cupantsnolongerfollowor-

theyno longerserve.They

generalassembly,andthedeci-

ethee pressionof thewillof

rdecisionsarevalid;noother

Thestudentsandworkerswho

illnot allowanyforcewhat-

pressingthemselvesandfromact-

niversity,againstthesociety

oisie. 2Thisawarenessofthe

f,thisconsciousnessofcol-

ac tofde-alienation: Y ou

onceyou vesuddenlyopened

enolongertheplaythingsofe -

olongerobjects; they vesudden-

ects.And oncetheireyesare

ttheclose themagain:their

earenegated,annihilated,and

reakstheir willcanreimpose

nce.

snotonlyrejectformer

;italsorefusestocreatenew

heoccupantsconsciousoftheir

atpowerto anyforcewhat-

nallyimposedorcreatedbythe

oe ternalforce,neither

onnorthestate,canmake

tsoftheuniversity,andno

nspeak,decide,negotiate,

embly.Thereareneitherlead-

ospecialgroup,neitherunion

ordinatingc ommittee, nora

hasthepowertonegotiateforthe

peakforthem,tosellthem

hingtonegotiateabout: theoc-

theyspeakforthemselves,make

ntheirown activities.The

dec hezRh&nePouleno,

riers- tudiants, CentreCensier, May

eralalapopulation, Centre

ettres, May11, 196 .

quotedinA c tion. May13,


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resstry tosetupleaderst

veswithwhomtonegotiatethe

ty;butnoneofthe leaders

edpowerisillegitimate;they

ceofthisappearanceof

s-rootscontrol(theCapitalist

it anarchyandc haos ), the

:physicalviolence.

vepoweristhefirststep

ofsocialpower(butonlythe

below.Consciousoftheir

ersityoccupants,workersand

iatethepowertodecide,they

ownsocialactivities.The

nationbegins;theuniversity

buildingistransformedinto

oc c upants. Thereareno spe-

bles. Thec ommunity isc ollec -

takesplace,andforwhat

hintheocc upiedbuilding. or-

ctivitiesareintegratedinto

fthecommunity. ocialtasks

therbecauseofdirectcoercion

oercionofthe market(i.e.

arvation).A saresult,some


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eachfloortoorientthe visi-

rfromCensier:a dormitory

istuniversity,istrans-

ystemofself-organizedactivities

wever,Censierisnotaself-

ovedfromtherestofsociety.The

hedayofeverygeneralas-

Censierareacutelyawarethat

activitiesarethreatenedso

tsrepressiveapparatusarenot

wthattheirownforce,or even

d someworkers,isnotsuf-

ate spotentialforv iolence.

6 tT A f Rl Z fc ^

, j. ^ - vi i r i , .

ar, eight

n

tthe

.)

stotheproducers:they are

ecannotbeconcludedwithout

oftheworkers. 1Thearmed

powerwhichnegatesandthreatens

ollectivecreationandself-

nCensier,canonlybedestroyed

ety.Butbeforethe population

workerscantakecontrolof the

ymustbecomeawareoftheir

becomeconsciousoftheir

sconsciousnessofcollective

estudentsandworkersacquired

erandtransformeditintoa

ession.Consequently,theoc-

emplaryaction,andthecen-

Censierbecomestocommuni-

heself-organizedactivities

R . A . T. P.

, 196 .


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ltask. ormerclassroomsbe-

yformedactioncommittees;in

ggested,discussed,andlaunched;

t withaproject,andothers

e.

icate,tospreadconsciousness

euniversity. veryonewhohas

mbliesandparticipatedincom-

whathastobedone. veryac-

owsthattheself-confidence

sciousnessofhispower,could

ersthought,decidedandacted

nowsthathisactioncommittee

youtitsprojectsonly be-

conscioussubjects,andnota

aitingforordersfromtheir

c entralc ommittee.

eandasane ample. Work -

townsneoplecometotheplace

mselves,tobecomeconsciousof

ndtheypreparetocommunicate

ctionsofthepopulationand to

oreignstudentsorganizea

inthestruggleof their rench

heirunconditionalsupport.

uggleof their renchc omradesis

ationalstruggleagainst ca-

stimperialism, 1theforeign

dthee ampleabroad. ast

presstheirsolidarityandsendthe

home. A U. . groupformssn

eA merican ef t, andthey planto

iththeU. . A . 2

ier smaincontribution

ment,theworker-studentaction

Workers . . . Todestroythis

oppressesallofus,wemust fight

studentactioncommitteeshavebeen

3Theformationoftheworker-

eGeneraledesiitudiants trangers,

96 .

eA meric aine, CentreCem;ier, May

, theA meric anstudentsalsomen-

toinformtheir renc hcomrade. -

tstoorganizeworkers intheU. .

eryfewactioncommitteemilitantswho

, Conited A c tionbitudiants-

y16,196 .


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r;the capitalistbuysthe

slabortheproducerreceives

thwhichtobuyconsumerpoods.

bori ncapitalistsociety

commodity,somethingwhich

cethelabor issoldto the

f thelabor belong tothe

property . Theseproducts

of productionwithwhichgoods

ergoodsforwhichtheproducer

aponswithwhichthecapital-

protec tedf romitsproduc ers. The

rthentakeona lifeoftheir

tionnolongerappearas pro-

tal,asobjectsanriinstru-

mthecapitalist,asthe proper-

econsumergoodsnolongerap-

or butastherewardsof la-

stationsofthestature,worthand

Theweaponsnolongerap-

ut asthenaturalandindis-

he tate. The tatenolonger

nofthealienatedpowerofso-

order nolongerappearasa

erelationsofalienationand

eitse istencepossible;the

emediaappeartoserve higher

fe change(laborfor

consumergoods areblatantly

lintermsof theirouantityand

uality . Toanalyzethe renchgeneral

derstandbothtypesofin-

graspthedifferencebe-

tativeinequalityhasbeentho-

ologeticandacriticallitera-

owledge,the scienceofecono-

ask thisquantitativeineauality . A c -

e, eac hsideof thee c hangeis

n :c apitalise c hans-edfora

ntityofprof its, andl^borise -

onding ouantityofwages. Itis

ntitieswhicharee c hangeddo

er,ru+ -+ -oahistoricalrela-

capitalistclassandthe work-

nd unionshaveIncreasedthe

labor c orresnonds. H owever,

eory isnotanalytic ~utapolo-

thefactthatmorese -

kersproducemoregoodsthan

efortheirlabor. etthisfac4-

sreceivedallthescoodsthey

nocapital,andtherewouldr

te, A rmy, Polic eor ropecarn^.


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opositionthateac hispaidfor his

tfor his c apitalandthe

py isn ttrue: thecapitalist s

tsofmeansofproductionproduced

italistis paidforthework-

tabsorbs(oraccumulates)sur

eworkercontributesbutdoesn t

over af tertheworkersarepaid.

hemselvese clusivelywiththe

tweenworkersandcapitalists.

ecreasethedegreeofe ploita-

ytoincreasethe goodsworkers

theirlabor,andat timesevento

lwealthwhichis distributed

shelpworkershavemore,not

reasetheouantityof floodsthe

angeforhisalienatedlabor;they

enatedlabor.Unions,like

tcountries,aswellasmuch20th

e,deale clusivelywiththe

eenworkersandcapitalists.


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rsin rancelastMaydidnot

dertopet alargershareof

twasthe Union(TheGeneral

)whic hc lampedthisgoalont e

.Therevolutionaryissue

erelationbetweenworkersand

ativerelation. etthequal-

ntreatede tensivelybyre-

perhapspartlybec ausetnequan-

spedmoreeasilyandcan be

a societywhichworships

e oviettheoristsdismissedthe

aism, andpartlybecausec apital - . t

o-opttheissueand totrans-

usliberalreformprogram.The

workersandstudentswasfar

ryofmost revolutionarytheo-

ts.

fe change laborandwages,

mergoods,livingenergyandin-

if ferinquality, ink ind. Thetwoterms

no matterwhathapDensto

words,thefactthat thework-

ages.,namelytwodifferentqua-

e workergetsmorewages,

orethingsine changeforhiscre-

rec iproc ity inthisactof

orkeralienateshisliv ingenergy ine -

;thecapitalistappropriates

ersine changefornothing.

ctionofreciprocity, objec-

ouldhavetosaythecapitalist

vepowerofsocietyine change

sometimessaythis,in more

sthelikelihoodthatinfinites-

eswillgraduallyleadtoaquali-

eredby . M. eynes:w iththe

fsociety sproductiveforces,itcan

yeasytomakecapital-goodssoabund-

encyofcapitalis zero...

wwhatenormoussocialchan-

adualdisappearanceofarateof

ealth. Oneofthemainsocialcon-

eeuthanasiaoftherentier,and,con-

ofthecumulativeoppressivepower

oitthescarcity-valueofcapital,

hecapitalistandthedisappear-

. eynes, TheGeneralTheoryof

ndMoney, New ork :Harc ourt, B race,


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oduceralienateshispro-

y;healienateswhathedoesin

activity,ortocompensatefor

ks,travels,surroundshimself

donshimselftoanimatedcar-

mselfwithvicariouse periences.1

dthat thealienatedlabor

fromslaveryandserfdom.The

not merelyhislabor(orlabor-

emaster;strictlyspeaking,the

te,sincehe isnotaperson but

rty.Theserf, ontheotherhand,

nddoesnotalienatehis labor;

productsofhis labor,andhe

hange(e c eptthe protec tion of

prac tic emeansoppression, domination,

orer,unliketheslave,is a free

wn; itishislaborwhichbec omesthe

ketheserf,the laboreralienates

ethingine changeforwhathe


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avetriedtoreducethealien-

ofalienation:thusreduced,

lved inc apitalistsoc iety , w ith-

sneededissomesolid propaganda

ociologistsandpsychologists

workers feelings.H owever,so

e ist,theworkerwillcon-

f hefeelsde-alienated

keris happy aboutit, byalien-

espassive,byalienatinghis

pectator,byalienatinghislife

hetherornotheis happy

productivepower,hegives

husesittohire him,decide

pulatehim,brainwashhim,re-

ainhimand makehim happy.

betweenworkersandca-

equantityof goodsproduced

thequantityofgoods received

andeventheshareof thesocial

ersmayhaveincreasedwithinspe-

eviewstheworldeconomy

enplace.Theapplicationof

reasestheproductivityoflabor

werwhichthecapitalistclass

dquantityofgoodshasenlarged

apitalists;competitioninthe

calinnovations,andalsope-

nefficientorunluckyca-

ssiblethecentralizationof

talsandtheintegrationoftech-

ses.Thecentralizationofca-

r elatedprocesseshasmeant

akeplaceunderthesameroof,

mesasophisticatedprocessofco-

n.

erelationbetweenworkers

vea historywithincapitalist

pitalismandabolishedwith

structuralbackboneofca-

ruled object,thecapitalist

orkeralienateshisproduc-

ppropriatesit;theworker s

ecapitalistownsthemandsells

rkercreatesCapital,thecapital-

roducesmorethanheconsumes,

pitalistdisposesof thesur-

heshape oftheworker sen-

siveapparatuswhichkeepsthe

andhirespropagandists, manipul-

maketheworker like hisc on-

Thisstructuralrelation

ecapitalististhe integument


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fthecapitalistclass:the tate

us.Thecapitalistshellstarts

orsbegintobee propriated.

cialistrevolution.Itis

deevent:thedestructionofca-

system;the negationofalien-

hebeginningofaprr.ess of

ionworkersoc c upiedtheirfac tory

dentdemonstrators, theywerenot

sympathywiththestudentdemon-

r

c-

nd-

ine -

ad

hat

ct

nage-

tauto-

r

vewas

work-

s

onof

hDemocra-

or), but

pon-

odel

no

atthiswasnot atraditional

amplehadnothingtodowith

tswithintheconte tofcapital-

sdeclared theirresolvenot

overthe movementwiththe

to permitoverflowswhich

2

fthefactorieswasthe

rc hv. Thene tstepwouldbe

workshopsandyardsas places

n.Thishappenedinafew

1 9 6 , p . 3 .


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heunionsbeginto take

ndtheunionshaveno in-

pression overflow into

surgentforthestudentsto

mple.Thisisthetaskof theCen-

mittees.Todothis,thecommit-

ggleagainstthecapitalist

nsttheannouncedoppositionof

gerwanttoconf ideourdemandsto

herornotthey repolitical.

rsinto ourownhands.Ourob-

dwithoutlive,concreteand

aconstant,humanandim-

nworkersandstudents. J 1

andimaginativecontactbetween

hadbeenestablishedatCensier

ccupation thiswasthebasis

rker-studentcommittees.On

on, youngworkerswhohadde-

Q uarter, entereda renchuniver -

weremorenumerousthanthe

sometimesinadisorganized

astically,buteveryoneis

rasesabouttheliaison between

bebypassed. 2W orker-student

pression,collectivelearn-

ectivepower,areallfactsat

ommunicatedtotherestof the

e pressionandself-organiza-

factoryarelikea strike

mitteeisformedforeverymajor

.Thecommitteesinclude

se,workersfromotherenter-

,foreignstudents,professors.

formerclassroomsreferto

5thDistrict,l thDistrict.

medaccordingtoprograms,po-

ecausetheyhaveno pro-

Theiraimis tocommunicate

placeatCensier. elf-led

donotgooutto leadthepo-

izetheworkers. Theyknowthey re

ase;butthey alsoknowthat

his,theywouldfail inac-

eywouldmerelyreintroduce

i r - I nt e r et A i r r a nc e , M a y

, A c t i o n, M ay 1 3 , 19 6 , p . 7 .


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hetypeofrelationbetween

hierarchicstructure,which

dstrugglingtodestroy . Whena

plettakesupresidenceinCensier,

ndstartsto help ac tion

problemsof politicalpro-

sothatthemilitantsw ill^ eable

moreeffec tively, themilitantsof

sburstintotheofficeofthe

rd, c allthee pertsonrevolution

andgivethemanultimatum:

theA uthoritiesoutside..

thefactorygatestotalk

einformation,tocommunicate.

bstitutethemselvesforthe

atethe workerstoorganize

olawayfromtheunionleadersand

hepoliticalandunionleaders

Thestrikersthemselves,.

decisions,,andit istheywho

s. orthistobecomepossible,

tantscallfor-a reunionofall

ot,,in acontinualGeneral

embly,theworkerswillfreelyde-

eirgoal,and theywillor-

thestrikepickets,thedis-

rationofdemonstrations...

tantscallontheworkersto

ctoryintoaplaceforcollec-

workers.

tedbytheCensiermilitants,

leaflets,doe pressthemselves,

ghdiscussionstheydobecome

owever,itwasnotinthe

essedthemselves,butinthe

ensier.BylettingCensierbecome

pressionofworkers,tne

g,theworkersfailedto

oplacesforcreativeself-

eworkersliberatedthemselves:

capitalistsystem.In Censier,

tanaction.

siergeneralassemblies

onceptionsofworkers power,

clashed.Butthediscus-

startingpointof everydis-

ationoftheoccupantsof- en-

dedaboutandcontrolledtheir

s Comited A c tionTravailleurs-

andCensier, May20, 196 .


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ivetheir powertoleaders,

veswhocontrolledthemintheir

oitationforadifferentprice,

s adifferentqualityof

conclusionsfromthisqualitative

lations.

stbe definedastheoverthrow

on.Thisis thefundamental

maskall thebourgeoisand

whichcallthemselvessocialist.

arethenunmasked:

soc ialismasthenationalizationof

splanning.It sobviousthat

epropertyrelations,butit

relationsofproduction.Con-

uestosubmittoa hierarchic

productionandin allother

rentis representedin

CommunistParty,whichproposes

a long-termobjective.Itis

hinesegroupletsandbynumerous

whoadvertisetheirBolshevism.

ent, com-

t

nage-

n

histgroups,andaboveall,ina

thecentralistbureaucracyof

ry (P. . U. ), whic hhasgained

entcrisisthroughits in-

eshipof theU. N. . . (The

. N. ii. up. (theprofessors

represented,withsome

poftheG. . D. T. ( rench

of abor).

andoned.Theyarereplacedbya

facttaking placeatCensier,


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eneralassemblydiscussions.

cturesof thetraditional

onshavee ploded.Theques-

osed. It snolongeraques-

nmentwithanother,norof

another.It saquestionof

entire workingclassover

questionof theabolitionof

tintheentirec apitalistregion.

taliststateandits repres-

ndthepolice),the forcewhich

eworld swealthf rom bac k-

d regionsandfromlowertoupper

lackofaregime,of ago-

enttoe tendtherevolution

ranceasitistoe tenditbeyond

spoint ismadeina general

; it sapointthathasn t

rysocialistssincethevictory

nof soc ialisminonec ountry .

Italy , in ngland, in

ountries,struggles

itywithourstruggle,

.A llplacesofworkare oc-

epowerofthe capitalistregime

thaslostcontrolover

ostitswealth.It ha6lost

spower:thishasto be

sed.The firststepis

ysicallyoccupytheplacesof

hework ingclassandnotthatof

e. Thene tstepisforthe

mselves, toorganizethemselves

ouscapacityforinitiative. 4

sonistranslatedintoac tion, the

vepowerisfollowedbytheor-

wer,thestrikeistransformed

A ndatthatpoint,

re " C om i te d A c t i o n Tr a va i ll e ur s -

y25, 196 .

aPorteI esComitesd A c tion,

"


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dofalltheworkersofa sector.The

ssionofthewillof theworkers.

einall thefactorieswhen

hatw illbedonewhenthene t

tiveswereinthepast,or in

ndone;Censierhadservedas

onandPropaganda

threattotheCommunist

ners.ThePartyhasacquired

wandorderofcapitalist

nancialresources,afor-

e, andc ontrols rance smajor

tsin itslong-rangepoli-

ategyforeventualparlia-

estedinterestin itsfa-

ture.TheCommunistPartycould

ork ing-c lasstorevolution. Waldec k

Proletariat 1wouldinany

ssloganin aliteratesociety

entury.Theconauestofpower

pofficialof the rench

off ic ialnewspaperof the rench


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ckbythecopsduringthe general

erstostart organizingtheir

anagedthisoperationsoonafter

Unionofficialsplacedthem-

movement ; theyheldontoall

nitiated theoc cupationof the

cracythenproceededto occupy

orkers.Insidethe Union-

e pressedhimself:unionoffi-

hesovertheloudspeakerstoan

elyofuniondelegates.Thework-

not allenthusiasticaboutthe

howereunenthusiasticdidnotap-

yofficialsoverloudpseakers,

nt toCensiertoanalyzewhat

ntswereawareofwhatwas

of theunionleadersise tremely

estrike,they retryingto

eworkersinsidethefactories,

estrikerotsoastomakethe


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sToWorkw ithaGunin ourB ack

ppointedbyUnionandParty

tforthe striketoend.The

tswhocometothefactoryen-

rikepickets,whoareinstruc-

inside,nottolet themili-

o takethe provocatorsand

y,andtochasethemawaybyany

rowdsofworkerscollectaround

smanner,noone e -

earns;thelevelof conscious-

beforethe strike.Thework-

okesmen thatwhatthey

mprovedconditions,andthat

tethesegainsfor them.The

he problemofquantitative

algainswithincapitalistso-

ctoriesbyappointedstrike

onofficials,toldbyloud-

emilitantsoutside areanar-

ollowanirresponsibleforeign

omeevenmoredependent.Chained


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asedout. veryoneissympathetic.

nare held.Demonstrationsto

ofcomradesareplanned.There-

bycops.A sentinelisplaced

forthef irsttimesinc ethe

narygroupletsarefightingto

metogetorganized. A f rantic

sofparanoiaareintroducedto

ctioncommitteemilitants

thesamewaystudentsarelooked

ntsarerated,classed.They

ass:theyarepoliticallyun-

ddough.Theyarerawmaterial

organized,led.

orker-studentcommit-

neralA ssemblyoftheW orker-

itteeschangesitsname:itbecomes

mittee.Itisnowcomposedmain-

enterprises;itbecomesan oc-

wlyformedrankandfile commit-

erienc es. Itnolongermeetsdaily ,

ndividualfactorycommittees,

e,continuetoleadanindepend-

rsc ontinuetoe pressthemselves,

actwithintheactioncom-

eesarenolongerplacesforthe

eworkers; they reremovedfrom

universities.They regroups

erastrategynor apolitical

spective.A ndtheyknowthey ve

andbywhom.

birthto thetypeof

y thepropaganda:a L ef t c omposedof

secutedvanguards,tragiclead-

cernedwithstudentproblems.

RT H E D T H S E t jT


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asn tit

sover,whenthe worker-

one,Censierbecomes organized

ccupation:itacquiresan

stratedvanguardrevolution-

e tolead,toorganize,to

bring theirtalentstoCen-

esaplaceina CentralCommit-

ormaCentralCoordinatingCom-

mstoappropriategroupsinorder-

nthatthe anarchists aregone

e anarchists c orrespondedto

struggle, andthatnowthe

entralization,coordination,leader-

tonewgroups newc ommittees

ents.A ndtheypresideover

yreorganizationandcourse

c ometoCensierforthef irsttime

heheelsofthe studentprob-

henthepoliceoccupyCensier

building: there snothingto

istsofastudent mass c oncerned

rganizedUniversity,anda

edwithkeepingitselfintheCentral

hellistakenbythe police.


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, e br ua ry , l9 69

on

the worker-studentaction

wetMnkwashappeningwhenthe

hatwasthebasisforwhatwe

acceptthestateandacademic

ersities-Regularlycontrolled

andin thissense stateproper-

retransformedinto soc ial ins-

ntsdeterminedwhatwastobe

ssed,whowasto makethe

semblies,peoplee Dressedthe

ersitiesweretoremainin the

eredthere,workershadto take

act,peoplewentto fac-

We vetakenovertheuniver-

manent,youhavetotakeover

workersbeganto imitate thestu-

ently.At Renault,fore ample,the

students wentthere. Thisis

ion. A t severalotherfac tories,

nedthestudentson thebarricades

ample of theuniversitiesbyc all-

take-oversofthe factories

tcritiauehasto bemade.

rstoodthefull significanceof

versityoccupations,andconsequent-

eneralassembliesinthefactories

thoughtithad.

euniversitieswasthat stu-

hadtakenoverstatebuildings,

vesthepowerformerlywieldedby

ydidnot reorganize or re-

y;theydidnotsubstitute a

sityforthestate-rununiversity;they

tuniversity.Theoccupations

ent-power intheuniversities;

ppointanewadministration,

cracy,toruntheuniversity

ureaucracy.Infact,theoc-

rejectedthetraditional


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rance)includingminers,machine

s,researchers,engineers.To

oplants belong tothepeople

nillusion. etthiswasthef ic -

hohadrejectedspecializationand

cupieduniversities.

whohadtransformeduniversities

sequentlynoone sproperty,were

L c harac terof thefac tories. What

subjec t whoc ontrolledtheproper-

c onc eptionof the revolutionaries

ersshouldrunthefactoriesinstead

itro nworkersshouldrunCi-

ptalistowners. Inotherwords,

areto betransformedtogrouo

omethepropertyofthe workers

dsinc ethis c orporation ofwork-

acuum, ithastoestablishma-

e ternal c orporationsofwork-

vetosetupan administration,

epresents theworkersofaparti-

fthiscorporatistconception

odel of theoc cupieduniversities.

onwasrejec tedasthe spokesman

ts,thetraditionalunion(the

abor)wasrejectedasthe spokes-

tedworkers: theworkersshouldnot

;theyshouldbe representedby

a new,democraticallyelected

vesofthe universityoc-

enottobesocialized.Thus

s insidethefactoriesdidnothave

e universities.Thefactories

perty,like ugoslaventerprises.

sociallycontrolled;theyarerun

achenterprise.

cein thestreets,peo-

cyofthispowerovertheir

inglikeCensier,theycon-

ebureaucratswhocontrolled

PeopleoccupiedCensierwhe-

beenstudentsthere;noone act-

ed tothosestudentswhowere

Butthesamelogicwas not

opledidnot gotoRenault

hisdoesn tbelongtothec apitalist,

sn tbelongtotheCGTeither.

tbelongtoanewbureauc rac ythat

elongsto thepeople,whichin-

s ndwe regoingin. irst

ait3s, andthewe llf igure


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forpassingfroma wildcat

ainstauthority,tothe libera-

aysthestrikewas taken

racy,andinthis sensewasnot

strike.Thismissincstepbe-

eandthegeneral strikeeffective-

alation:thestudentmovement

toamovementw ithinthefac tories.

kofthestrike,therestill

escalation,possibilitiesfor

ionoftransformingdailylife.

ithtenmillionworkerson

opleonthe streetsevervday,

avetakentheformofasystematic

eapparatus.Theorientationof

atist;thestaterantheuniver-

eenabolished.Therehadbeen

lMay l0. tudentsc ommunic atedtheir

sinthe street.A ndtheirin-

c.OnMayl0theyweredeter-

iversity.Theyhadthe support

ofyounffworkerswhojoined

thepeonle1nthe neighborhood

owever, af terMay l0, aseriesof

eproduce thedemonstrationand

longerconstitute escalations

sofpeor> leparticipateinthcr^ e

tconfrontationswithth



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ntsallowedtheself-anpointed

emblytodefinetheir action,

sfortheMay2kdemonstration,

sliberation,butratherthe

vement.

otthe onlypeoplewhocon-

eswiththechoiceofjoiningor

alsassumedtherighttointer-

cussionsinorderto describe

din,toseeksupport,and to

pathizers and revolutionaryspec -

ge: Whatareyouac tuallyDO ING

ichwasgrantedfairly

yabused.All typesandvar-

weredescribedatgeneralas-

onswhichweresignificantand

angedsituationandthesocial

to act.

ectiveactionswhichwere

onsofthesocialsituation,

ttheircharacterofself-or-

uentlydegeneratedinto

oredbythemachinationsofthe

degenerationwasfrequently

shortcomingofthegeneral

mmitteesweresupposedlymore

ever,theactioncommittees

eneral assembly.Thegeneral

people,didnot itselfperform

arriedoutbysmallergroups

ndplannedtheprojectswhich

edbythe assembly.Theaction

entanew socialstructure

rmof futuresociety . Thesecond

mitteeswastomakepossible

evelopmentofideasandperspec-

etasks,whichwouldnot

gthelargerbodyof people.

oncommitteesbecame institution-

ongersituatedtheiractivitywith-

eralassemblywhichgaverise

membersbegantothinkoftheir

n,asathing whosesignificance

ofamysterious revolutionarymove-

of thec ommitteeslostitsconte t.

erationofthegeneralassemblies

ionof thedegenerationofthe

notbecausetherewerebureaucrats

tantscouldn tsayanythingrele-

bly,butpreciselybecausethe

nythingtosaythattherewere


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workersintothesame c lass ;

osewhowere theretoreform

hointendedtoabolish capital-

ereunabletofocuson thespe-

nsproposedbytheradical

workersf romaprivatenrinting

eyhadthrownouttheirdirector,

chool,andwantedtoput the

thepeoplegatheredatCensier.

litants werenotasradic alasthese

ccupyingauniversitybuilding,they

y of theactionproposedbythe

thavedonebettertoproposethis

Marc h22Movement). A nothere -

rscamefromthenewspaperdis-

s.TheycalledonCensier

oppingthedistributionof

nthepeoplegatheredatCensier

heir enterprisewhatwastaking

tothesesuggestionsdid

elveswereactiveagentswho

uationina realfactoryby

eof thewritersofthisarticle

nwhichtookplacebeforeMay l0

arch22 Movement(DanyCohn-

oplewhol aterinfluencedthe

Censier.Itwasclearthatthe

didnotdefinethemselvesthe

mself;Danyregardedhisownac-

hichcouldtransformthesocial

aboutthe support Danyhad,

ind him. Theirc onc eptionwasthat,

weregoingtoriseandac t, andthat

to definetheirrolesonly

sac tive mass. Thesemilitants

elplesstotransformaconcrete

worker-studentactioncommit-

er,thepeopleat theoriginof

ydefinedforthemselvesadiffer-

d beenplayedbytheMarch22

beene pressedbyDanyCohn-Bendit.

edactioncommitteesinsteadof

ntransformingsociallife.It

constituted actioncommittees

hentheyrenouncedaction.They

tonof ac tion. Itisnotthesame

h22Movement aparticular

selvestransformaconcretesocial

onsistsoffollowingthe

yofasocialgroup,particularly


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ty;it tookplaceindiscus-

actioncommitteemilitantsat

actioncommitteemilitants

tsofacapitalistand bureau-

eresomany revolutionarymili-

ierformorethana monthafter

noverbytheunion Whatwasthe

of thesec ommittees

dpoliticalpositions

ensiercommitteescannotbe

tperse.Theydidnot cometo

artinreformistactions;in

committeemeetingsandgeneral

learthattheythoughtthey were

actions,actionswhichwerelead-

talismandbureaucracy. et

eysupported theworkers de-

d politic alandunionrights, and

mousworkers organizations.

itmaybe saidthattheir

perse;theywere opportunist

-studentcommitteeswereatthe

ieswhichthesocialsitua-

heydidwhateverthe situation

tsocietyfunctionedregularly,

snormallydonein capitalist

elimitationsofnormalca-

unions.H owever,inMaythe

membersofthepopulationto en-

cess,toappropriatethesocial

dinMaytheywereready todothis.

e,onecansaythat thepeople

mCensierrepresentagenuinepopular

dytodowhateverthesituational-

ythoughttheywererevolutionaries

volutionwastakingplace;they

egoingtobe occupiedand so-

ghttheywouldbeamongthe first

andjointheworkersina new

ywerenotgoingtoinitiate

ngtofollowthe vTavewherever

ttothefactorygateson the

yconfronteda slightlydif-

workerswerenotcallingforthe

tory.Unionbureaucratswere

ion of thefactory . A ndsothe


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egan,attheRenaultplant.A bout

hfromthecenterofParis; they

heworkersinsidethenational-

nstratorsgetto thefactory,

hoeveris attheheadofthis

gatesasthelast word.Butthe

heeringworkersstandonthe

own.A ndinsomeparts,the

noughto climb. etsuddenly

theyhadneverfearedbefore: the

wantedto getin,the

adnopower.Buttherewere

tionaries inthemarc horinside

ryfewpeoplewhofeltthat what-

antwastheirs.Thereweresome

stormthegates inordertobehit

opsatthegates.Butthere was

routsidethe factorywhore-

y.Onewhoknowsit ssocial

tabureaucratblockingthedoor.

ariedprete tsfordoing

nispremature; it sadventuristic

opertyyet. O fc oursetheCGT

hisreasoning,areasoningwhich

y right theworkersmighthave

ndmilitants,mostofwhomhad

niversitiesto takepartinthe

activelychallengedthelegitimacy

nthestreet,blandlyaccepted

oughs whoguardedthefactory

oCensierwastheimpression

ngpreparedwhicfcwouldgobe-

adgreetedthedemonstratorsat

ensiergen ralassemblies,as

eemeetings,betweenMayl7and

onthathere weregatheredpeople

erewere theothers who

uationbeyonditsnewlyreached

Censiertotakepartin ac-

basis. otsofpeoplewho

vesfoundabriefopportunity

h peoplegivinroutleaflets

gfulthanthenormalactivities

committedtogoingbeyond

wnsake,and thepossibili-

edtoe istatCensier. x tremely

werediscussedattheCensiergeneral


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ofastateor-academicbureaucracy

emof learningtotrainmefor

yprojectandtowhic hI llbe

fe.

eddailyli^ eofeinitalist

formscertainactivitiesbecause

edef ineshimself seeoysf pp

esdepend ne ternalc 5resi-

becausetheyare theone= :

otactintermsof mvoossit.111-

ernalconstraints.

c ew ithereanitnli * tsoc iety ,

measanro. V c twhi^hT brinsr

s.Thechangeise ternaltoir.e;

fromhugeimpersonalforces:

tionarymovement...Thesefor-

e, the,rarenottheoutc omeofmy

etheactorsonthe stac-e,the

mplywatch.Imavtakesides

heother,forthevillain orthe

assembliesdurinertheearly

tivityhadthecharacterofa

ectaclehadbeendestroyed,andso

ethedependenceisnothina-hutthe

emberofanaudiencewhowat-

neopleoriginallvwenttoCensier

oseewhat therevolutionaries

heywenttoashow. B utbyattend-

mblywherepeoDledi

worker-student action committees, france may '68 - roger gregoire and fredy perlman

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