UPDATE - Environmental activists gather across France to commemorate violent protests last year

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By Nur Asena Erturk

Environmental activists gathered Monday in several towns across France to commemorate protests last year marked by violence.

Two people were severely injured and fell into a coma and dozens of others also sustained injuries on March 25, 2023 in violent clashes between protesters and security forces in the town of Sainte-Soline in western France.

The government accused members of the activist group the Earth Uprisings Collective (Soulevements de la Terre, or SLT) of organizing sabotage and causing material damage, including through violence, under the cover of supporting the preservation of the environment.

Violent clashes erupted at unauthorized protests against the construction of agricultural mega-water reservoirs in the western town of Sainte-Soline.

Members of SLT gathered Monday in the northwestern town of Alencon, the Ouest-France newspaper reported.

They commemorated last year’s violent protest and said they would never forget about the injured on that day.

More than 50 activists gathered with the same objective on SLT’s call in the western town of Quimperle, the Daily Telegram said.

The aim is to “remember what happened last year,” an activist told the newspaper.

Activists also gathered in front of the gendarmerie building in the southern city of Rodez, the La Depeche daily reported.

The SLT said it is planning massive protests for the summer, according to the 20 Minutes daily.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin in March last year asked to dissolve the SLT following the incidents in Sainte-Soline.

The Council of State rejected the case in November 2023.