lang: en
Summary
From June 1959 to May 1960, French citizens led by Joseph Pyronnet and the Action civique non-violente (ACNV) protested the internment of Algerians in five concentration camps. The campaign used silent marches, fasting, sit-ins, and nonviolent obstruction to draw attention to the injustice. Although they failed to close the camps, they succeeded in raising public awareness and gaining support from elites and the press.
Background
In May 1959, the French government opened internment camps for Algerians suspected of supporting the National Liberation Front (FLN) during the Algerian War. The camps were seen by activists as reminiscent of Nazi concentration camps. The goal of the campaign was to call attention to the injustice and to close the five camps.
What happened
In June 1959, Joseph Pyronnet learned of the Larzac camp and began by sending packages to internees and writing an appeal to the French president [source: nv-database]. On 28 June, 60 people held a silent march, distributed leaflets, fasted, and seven volunteers asked to be interned; they were fined and left [source: nv-database]. The protest gained press coverage [source: nv-database]. From July to August, four volunteers fasted near the camp [source: nv-database]. Starting in September, Pyronnet expanded the volunteer army, held conferences, published an article, and gained the support of Minister of Justice Edmond Michelet [source: nv-database]. On 10 April 1960, 200-250 people protested the Thol camp, using sit-ins and outflanking police blockades; police dropped them far away [source: nv-database]. On 30 April 1960, 700-1000 people protested the Centre d’Identification de Vincennes (CIV) with support from 21 public figures; they were arrested and later prayed at a tomb [source: nv-database]. Daily protests at the Ministry of Justice followed [source: nv-database]. On 28 May 1960, simultaneous protests occurred in Paris and 13 other cities; in Paris, 1500 people participated, 629 were arrested, and police used violence [source: nv-database]. The organizers were acquitted after the judge treated the protest as undeclared [source: nv-database]. Pyronnet ended the campaign fearing repression against unprepared protesters [source: nv-database].
Key people & organizations
- Joseph Pyronnet
- Action civique non-violente (ACNV)
- Edmond Michelet
- Maurice Papon
- Robert Barrat
- Jean-Marie Domenach
- Théodore Monod
- Paul Ricoeur
- Henri Marrou
- Louis Massignon
- Laurent Schwartz
- Pierre Vidal-Naquet
Tactics used
- petitions-and-e-campaigning
- nonviolent-direct-action
- civil-resistance
- coalition-building
- framing-and-narrative
- methods-of-nonviolent-action
The campaign combined silent marches, fasting, sit-ins, and nonviolent obstruction to maintain moral high ground and attract media attention, while coalition-building with elites and public figures amplified their message and provided protection. [source: nv-database]
Outcome
Verdict: partial.
The campaign achieved partial success: it raised public awareness and gained press coverage, but failed to close the camps. The movement survived and grew, but repression and the risk of violence led Pyronnet to end the campaign. [source: nv-database]
Lessons
- Nonviolent discipline and silence can help maintain moral authority and attract sympathy.
- Building alliances with respected public figures can provide protection and amplify the message.
- Expanding protests to multiple cities can increase pressure and visibility.
- Knowing when to end a campaign to avoid escalating repression is a strategic decision.
Sources
- Global Nonviolent Action Database —
[[nv-database]]
Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.
Sources & verification
nv-database— grounding: primary — license: link-only- Rewritten: 2026-06-25 via
worker_casestudies_v2.py