1987 – West African Students Lead Protest in Paris

On May 29, 1987, West African students organized a major protest in Paris against the French government\’s restrictive immigration and education policies targeting African nationals. The demonstration, fueled by years of discriminatory practices, police brutality, and economic exclusion, drew attention to France’s post-colonial contradictions. Students from Senegal, Mali, and Côte d\’Ivoire demanded equal access to housing, scholarships, and legal protections. This protest highlighted the role of the African diaspora in reshaping metropolitan politics and challenging neocolonial structures in Europe. The May 29 mobilization helped trigger broader debates about race, belonging, and justice in the French Republic. It stands as an important chapter in Black European history, demonstrating how African youth used activism, intellect, and collective power to fight systemic inequality in former imperial centers.