scuffles between climate activists and police ahead of oil giant’s general meeting in Paris

Clashes between police and demonstrators for the climate broke out on Friday May 26 near the Parisian room where the annual general meeting of TotalEnergies is to be held. The French hydrocarbon giant is preparing for an electric meeting, targeted by a coalition of associations which threatens to block it, but also by some of its shareholders who disagree with its climate policy.

At dawn, a hundred climate demonstrators tried to enter the section of street passing in front of the Salle Pleyel, located in the 17th arrondissement of the capital. A dozen of them, who had sat in front of the entrance, were dislodged by the police. After three quick warnings, the police fired tear gas.

Many images of his scuffles were broadcast by journalists present on the spot and by activists on social networks.

The meeting comes at the end of a stormy AGM season, where actions have multiplied against large groups, such as competitors Shell and BP or Barclays bank, accused of financing the expansion of hydrocarbon projects . All against a backdrop of staggering profits: together, the majors BP, Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron and TotalEnergies are posting more than $40 billion in profits this quarter after record highs in 2022.