The New York TimesThe New York Times

The French like protesting, but this Frenchman may like it the most

By Constant Méheut

24 Feb 2023 · 5 min read

Editor's Note

Jean-Baptiste Reddé retired from teaching a decade ago. Since then, he’s dedicated himself nearly full time to protesting. “We wanted to repeat May 1968!” he said. The NYT has a profile.

PARIS — A human tide swept through Paris last month for the type of event France knows only too well — a protest. Union leaders led the march, awash in a multicolored sea of flags. Demonstrators shouted fiery slogans. Clashes with police erupted.

And, as in every protest, there was Jean-Baptiste Reddé.

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