The dissolution of the ecological collective Earth Uprisings (SLT) was canceled by the Council of State, announced the institution this Thursday, November 9. A measure of “dissolution seriously undermines freedom of association, a fundamental principle recognized by the laws of the Republic” and “it can therefore only be implemented to avoid serious disturbances to public order”, estimated the high administrative court.
According to the Council of State, “no provocation of violence against people can be attributed to the Earth Uprisings”. The relay, with a certain complacency, of images of clashes between demonstrators and the police, in particular against the construction of water reservoirs in Sainte-Soline (Deux-Sèvres), “does not constitute a demand, a valorization or justification of such actions,” insisted the institution.
Dissolution does not constitute “a suitable and proportionate measure”
The administrative jurisdiction, however, considered that the Earth Uprisings “did indeed engage in provocations and violent actions against property”. However, their dissolution did not constitute “a measure adapted, necessary and proportionate to the seriousness of the disturbances likely to cause public order”, according to her.
The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, initiated this procedure on March 28, a few days after the violent clashes between gendarmes and opponents of the water reservoirs of Sainte-Soline (Deux-Sèvres), for which the executive had attributed the responsibility for the movement.
Seized in August of a summary judgment by the collective, the Council of State suspended the decree of dissolution in view of a “serious doubt” existing on the reasons invoked by the executive to dissolve the movement. The highest administrative court had challenged the characterization of the movement’s actions “as actions seriously disturbing public order”.
The SLT are a young movement which demands occupation or sometimes sabotage actions in the name of defending the environment.