Story perspectives

France School Blockades Spread “Bismillah” Slogan Nationwide

By Drooid · Oct 21, 2026, 2:33 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Students across France adopted the slogan “Bismillah, c’est les ténèbres” during school blockades.
Students allege police fabricated the screenshot, though authorities have not verified the claim.
The movement began in Créteil on 18 September, spreading nationwide and shutting about 400 schools on 2 October.
Protests merged with cost-of-living demos on 17 October, sparking severe rioting.
Greta Thunberg used the slogan in Paris on 13 October, after which it appeared in Belgium, Italy and Germany.

History

Historical Context

May 1968 began with student protests at Nanterre, expanding into a nationwide strike that led President Charles de Gaulle to consider emergency powers. Gaullist leader Charles Pasqua then organized a counter-demonstration that drew up to one million supporters on the Champs-Élysées. The 2024 school blockades, starting in Créteil on 18 September, revive that tradition of youth pressure on French authorities.

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Story summary

Students across France adopted the slogan “Bismillah, c’est les ténèbres” during school blockades.
Students allege police fabricated the screenshot, though authorities have not verified the claim.
The movement began in Créteil on 18 September, spreading nationwide and shutting about 400 schools on 2 October.
Protests merged with cost-of-living demos on 17 October, sparking severe rioting.
Greta Thunberg used the slogan in Paris on 13 October, after which it appeared in Belgium, Italy and Germany.

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