A year after the demonstration against mega-basins in Sainte-Soline, in west-central France, opponents of these agricultural water reserves are organizing a weekend of “ commemorate actions » and announce that they are taking the Minister of the Interior to court.
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A year ago, on March 25, 2023, around a reserve under construction protected by more than 3,000 gendarmes, 30,000 people according to the organizers, 6,000 to 8,000 according to the authorities, took part in a gathering banned by the prefecture of Deux-Sèvres. Violent clashes broke out, leaving many injured, including two demonstrators who fell into a coma.
This weekend, activists plan to commemorate this event. The program of the collective “Bassines non, merci” therefore includes “ commemorate actions “, that is to say festive events, conferences on water, testimonies and speaking engagements in support of the injured.
Read alsoIn Sainte-Soline, many injured in clashes between anti-basins and law enforcement
On Sunday, legal action will be launched against the Minister of the Interior. “ We decided to file a collective complaint, therefore to take criminal action, against Gérald Darmanin who lied on numerous occasions, who did not did not hesitate to criminalize the demonstrators. We refuse that there is impunity on this, we want the whole truth to be revealed about this violence », Explain Judith Rivière and Johanne Rabier, members of the collective.
“ Our movement is strong »
These ” commemorate actions » must also make it possible to take stock of the fight against these water reserves for agricultural use. “ Our movement is strong and we are fighting as inhabitants of the territory, alongside the farmers, for our survival, to have access to drinking water », added the two members of the collective.
Also, new demonstrations against large basin projects are planned in the coming months. “ It should be noted that these intended basins would be intended for less than 5% of farmers. We are asking for discussions, a real sharing of water, an abandonment of all projects and also a reorientation of financial aid. »
The collective is still far from convincing the government. The Minister of Ecological Transition, who refutes the term “ large basin », assured this Friday that France had “ need more water retention “.
A new gathering is planned for this Saturday, not far from Sainte-Soline. A police source reports “ vigilance “, without ” big concerns “.
Read alsoRepression of the Sainte-Soline gathering: a “deliberate desire not to provide help as quickly as possible”, denounces the LDH