Violent scenes were observed on Saturday March 25 in Sainte-Soline, at the scene of a rally to protest against the construction of future water retention basins. Several serious injuries are to be deplored.
Gendarmerie vehicles were set on fire on Saturday March 25 at the scene of the protest against the mega-basins in Sainte-Soline (Deux-Sèvres). Disencirclement grenades responded to Molotov cocktails and firework mortar fire. Violent clashes took place between demonstrators and security forces. From the start of the morning, 6,000 people according to the prefecture (30,000 according to the organizers) gathered despite the ban on demonstrations, to surround the site of the future basins intended for agricultural irrigation.
A thousand radical activists mingled with activists concerned about a better sharing of water, armed, according to the authorities, with axes or choppers. 3,200 police and gendarmes were mobilized. The balance sheet is heavy. Dozens of demonstrators were injured and evacuated with makeshift means. Two people in serious condition were airlifted to hospital. 24 gendarmes were injured, including one in absolute emergency. Gérald Darmanin castigated the radicalization of the movement. “There will be no ZAD that will settle in Sainte-Soline”, assures the Minister of the Interior.
