Environmental activists break into Le Bourget airport to plant trees

Europe 1 with AFP // Photo credit: Stephane Mouchmouche / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP 15:46 pm, September 22, 2023

A dozen activists from Attac and Extinction Rebellion entered Friday afternoon on the tarmac of Le Bourget airport, near Paris to "plant trees" and denounce "climate criminals" who use private jets, noted an AFP journalist. A dozen activists entered Le Bourget business airport, in Seine-Saint-Denis, after opening a fence with a grinder. They planted two fruit shrubs on the tarmac and hijacked the sign in front of the airport gate, replacing the inscription "Protected Military Zone" with "Climate Crime Zone".

"No to private jets - Yes to fruit trees"

Decked out in childish masks and white jumpsuits, the activists also dispersed coloured powder, laid down straw bales and unfurled banners proclaiming "Don't let the ultra-rich destroy the planet" and "No to private jets - Yes to fruit trees". The operation, which lasted about twenty minutes, ended with the call of an environmental activist to the gendarmes, informing them of the operation. They arrived a few minutes later and destroyed the facilities.

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The activists escaped from the airport before the arrival of the security forces but were checked as they left. The objective of the action is to "show that this concrete space of Le Bourget airport could be used for better purposes, which would not be harmful to the planet and our health and would serve the common interest, unlike the climaticidal use of private jets by the few ultra-rich," said Attac and Extinction Rebellion in a joint statement.

Citizens "legitimate to put these climate criminals out of harm's way"

On the spot, Attac spokeswoman Lou Chesné said that "no government action" being undertaken, "citizens (were) legitimate to put out of action these climate criminals who deprive us of our future". "We have a card to play, as was the case in Amsterdam where following an action of civil disobedience, private jets were banned," continued the activist. In April, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol announced an upcoming ban on night flights and private jets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and noise.

In September 2022, activists from Attac and Extinction Rebellion had already blocked access to a terminal at Le Bourget airport for nearly two hours. After this intrusion, eleven people were sentenced by the criminal court of Bobigny to fines ranging from 300 to 500 euros, on September 14. They appealed the decision.