War Scene at Sainte Soline (Deux Sèvres)

A violent standoff broke out between demonstrators and police this Saturday afternoon. Twenty-four gendarmes were wounded and about 30 opponents of the megapond project, which was fiercely contested. Several vehicles were set on fire.

This Saturday, March 25, 2023, the big battle will take place at the Saintesoline de Sèvres. Thousands of people opposed to the construction of a giant reservoir intended to irrigate their crops clashed with police on their way to the giant pond.

Molotov cocktail against tear gas

A collision occurred very quickly. Some demonstrators, wearing helmets and guerrilla warfare gear, threw Molotov cocktails at gendarmes, their vehicles, incendiary bombs and fireworks. The military police responded by firing tear gas grenades.
The damage is particularly severe after two attacks in the early and late afternoon. Twenty-four gendarmes were wounded, one of whom had to be airlifted to hospital in an absolute emergency.
In addition, five gendarmerie vehicles were set on fire.

Dalmanin: ‘Inexcusable Violence’

Home Secretary Gerald Dermanan called the “unforgivable violence” on the side of “extremely radicalized and extremely violent people, including those of the Black Bloc, the far left, the ultra left (…) This violence is intolerable”. condemned.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Insoumise, denounced: fields.

water war

Located in the Deux-Sèvres department, the Sainte-Soline mega-basin is an agricultural water retention project (about 10 hectares) intended for crop irrigation. It is filled by pumping water from the groundwater. As such, it has been highly controversial, both by “small” farmers who oppose this agricultural giantization, and by scientists, including his IPCC experts in his March 2023 6ᵉ report. Greenpeace.
About 150 organizations conducting on-site gatherings and mobilizations oppose. Megapools deprive surrounding ecosystems of vital resources and impede groundwater replenishment. In other words, it does not solve the drought.
From March 24th to 26th, 2023, a gathering of nearly 20,000 people will be held at the call of the “Bassines, non merci” group of the “Soulèvements de la Terre” movement and the Confédération Paysanne. A dozen countries are expected to oppose these projects and inform the public about the long-term damage of these reservoirs.

Sainte Soline d’art les de sèvres au place millier de parsons manifesto contre le project de mega basin. Des fourgons de gendarmerie incendiés (PhoThéO/Facebook) #SainteSoline #megabasins pic.twitter.com/k6AhRv89wR

— Anonyme Citoyen (@AnonymeCitoyen) March 25, 2023

An insult to the extreme intensity of the Sainte Soline d’en les deux sèvres plus milie de personos manifesto contre le project de mega basin. Des fourgons de gendarmerie incendiés (PhoThéO/Facebook) #SainteSoline #megabasins pic.twitter.com/k6AhRv89wR

— Anonyme Citoyen (@AnonymeCitoyen) March 25, 2023

SUIVEZ EN DIRECT LA MOBILIZATION D’AUJOURD’HUI
10 000 people arrived at Déjah-sur-Place and the Convois Massifs Les Cortez…#SainteSoline #megabasin pic.twitter.com/Egnz2B5rAk

— BassinesNonMerci (@BassinesNon) March 25, 2023