The basins: "Be careful, it could overflow!"

Emmanuelle Ducros 08:45, March 22, 2023

This weekend, from Friday, the opponents of the water reserves led by the collectives "basins no thanks" and "the uprisings of the earth" have planned to meet in the Vienne and the Deux-Sèvres, in Mauzé sur le Mignon and Sainte Soline. The central service of territorial intelligence classifies this second weekend of collective action of anti-basin "high risk".

Our RTL colleagues had access to a note from the central territorial intelligence service. According to it, 7,000 to 10,000 people are expected at this rally. "Sabotage operations are likely to be carried out by activist groups who will target the reservoirs under construction, but also companies linked to the project."

Are the intelligence services playing to scare themselves?

No, and for several reasons. First, because at the end of October, a previous demonstration in Sainte-Soline, which had gathered a little more than 4,000 people and people had degenerated, in sabotage, but also in clashes. 1,500 gendarmes were mobilized, 61 gendarmes wounded and several demonstrators were injured. And a year ago, demonstrations had already sparked great tensions. The mobilization is increasing.

And then there is the social climate, linked to the pension reform.

We must see the broth that simmers its opposition to the basins. National environmental associations, which doubled the local branches, often much more moderate and which had participated in the project development processes.

In a struggle that has become political, they have aggregated anti-capitalist groups. A showcase, like the new anti-capitalist party, and small groups for which irrigation is only a vague pretext to come and make a fuss. Black blocks who want to fight and make tours of Europe of the punch, veterans of Notre Dame des Landes, and then unions, such as the CGT and Solidaires. Last time, we also saw elected officials, LFI, greens, on the ground, who complained about tear gas. It is clear that everyone wants to talk about something other than water reservoirs. The surroundings of the basins risk becoming annexes of the scenes of urban clashes post 49.3. With the risk that it will cyst.

On the Telegram loops of the activists, we warm up.

You have to read this literature, and especially the advice booklets for budding guerrillas. They mix anti-tear gas recipes and prevention of sexism in demonstration, advice to avoid telephone boundaries, and tutorial on the answers to be given in custody, legal point on DNA taking, contact with the pole, health advice, food, clothing point to arrive in good shape at the places of action, and techniques to adopt in case of castagne. All in inclusive writing. It is hard to believe that we are talking about protests against irrigation devices.

And the farmers in all this?

Another world. We must read, in the New Republic, the report devoted to farmers who try, as best they can, to do their work around the basins. Some are in mixed farming, some in organic farming. Farmers disgusted to be considered as henchmen of agribusiness, incredulous to be embarked on this delirium. They describe suffering, exhaustion, threats, traumatized children. They have also filed a complaint, for degradation and for moral harassment. They don't know how they're going to get out of this. It doesn't seem rational anymore. "We're doing everything we can. The dialogue has already begun, but with a gun to our heads, it is difficult. »