Thousands Mobilize Against A69 Castres-Toulouse Motorway Amid Ban
Several hundred people gathered in Puylaurens, Tarn, on Friday for the first day of a weekend of mobilization against the A69 Castres-Toulouse motorway, despite a ban on the demonstration for fear of violence. The event, organized by local environmental groups and the Earth Uprisings, saw opponents from Spain and Germany joining in. The protest unfolded on private land near the village, where several marquees were erected for debates and round tables. Laurent Prost, from La Voie Est Libre (LVEL), emphasized the protesters' determination, stating, ‘We must show the prefect and the elected officials that we are still determined.’
Volunteers, often masked, directed the parking of vehicles and the setting up of tents. Laurent Prost estimated the attendance to be between 500 and 1000 people, with an expectation of welcoming ‘between 10,000 and 15,000 people’ at the height of the mobilization on Saturday. Isabelle, a local resident, expressed that the mobilization sends a strong message of persistence, while the ban itself could potentially draw even more people.
Following the orders from Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin, prefects of Tarn and Haute-Garonne prohibited any gatherings across 24 municipalities along the A69 route, a decision affirmed by the Toulouse administrative court. In response, over 1,000 gendarmes and police officers were deployed. As of Friday evening, eight people were arrested, and 148 ‘objects intended for weapons’ were seized, including nail boards and knives. Prefect Michel Vilbois emphasized the need to avoid violence, expressing concern about the presence of individuals with the intention to attack the police.
Meanwhile, tension continued near the construction site. The gendarmerie evacuated the ZAD camp in Saïx on Thursday, following a ban on gatherings effective from Wednesday evening until Monday. Environmental activists, who dubbed the protest ‘Roue Libre,’ defied the ban, calling for massive participation. The ban was justified by the prefect of Tarn, Michel Vilbois, who cited the violent methods of supporting groups like the Earth Uprisings. He highlighted previous disturbances to public order since September 2022, which involved actions like sabotage and intrusion.
Despite the heavy police presence and the preventive actions, activists maintained their stance against the motorway project, arguing it threatens the environment and local communities. The protracted conflict over the A69 highlights the ongoing struggle between developmental projects and environmental preservation, raising crucial questions about sustainable development and civic engagement in environmental issues.
- In the words of Michel Vilbois, containing the demonstrators on private land is pivotal to prevent any potential violence. He also highlighted the objectives of maintaining public order and ensuring the progress of the construction site.
- Atosca's general director, Martial Gerlinger, pointed out the challenges faced by the construction teams amid the ongoing mobilization, emphasizing the need for reinforced security for agents, vehicles, and sites over the weekend.
- The A69 project has spurred significant local and international opposition, reflecting broader concerns about environmental degradation and the impact of infrastructure developments on local communities and ecosystems.
