French Police Use Tear Gas, Water Cannons against Thousands of Eco-Activism Protesters

French Police Use Tear Gas, Water Cannons against Thousands of Eco-Activism Protesters

TEHRAN (FNA)- Activists clashed with police for a sixth day in Western France. Law enforcement officials used tear gas and water cannons against crowds protesting the demolition of their ‘eco-camp’ on the site of an abandoned airport.

The demonstration drew nearly 7,000 people in support of occupants of the ZAD (French abbreviation for ‘Zone to Defend’) anarchist commune, according to France 24.

The rally erupted into open confrontation after the protesters, holding banners reading ‘Stop violence’, attempted to storm barricades erected by law enforcement officials.

Riot police fired tear gas in response to rocks and stun grenades being thrown at them. The windows of several shops were smashed and trash bins were set on fire.

Twelve protesters were arrested and nine police officers wounded, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said in a statement, denouncing what he described as “unspeakable violence.”

“Since the beginning of the week, at least 148 people have been taken care of,” including those who suffered injuries from stun grenades or developed neurological disorders (vertigo, headaches), according to a medical team set up at the activists’ camp.

Around 2,500 enforcement officials were mobilized for evictions in Notre-Dame-des-Landes, 20km from Nantes, on Monday.

Up to several hundred activists occupied the 1,650-hectare site, once reserved for a proposed airport, calling it their ‘Zone a Defendre.’

Environmental activists have actively protested against the construction of the airport in Notre-Dame-des-Landes since 2008.

Throughout the week, Molotov cocktails and stun grenades were hurled through clouds of tear gas as Zadists clashed with police.


The biggest land occupation in europe still under attack.


	

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