COPAIN 44 Communique

Unprecedented mobilization on Saturday, February 22nd

The countryside people and small farmers of COPAIN 44 and all of the region congratulate the unprecedented mobilization on Saturday, to demand en masse the immediate abandonment of the airport transfer project. This mobilization was successful thanks to a strong and unified organization of all the different groups involved in the struggle. Saturday, the vigilant tractors laid down a “rapport de force” calmly and with determination. There was no violence because of the farmers, and the majority of the media ignore the historical precendent of 520 tractors in Nantes. The entrance, parking, and leaving of the city were all problem free, thanks to meticulous organization. No matter what the prefect says, we hoped to ensure the safety of all the farmers, many of whom came with their families. Any demonstration in an urban setting has its share of destruction, more or less controlled, without setting off the fury of politicians. We deplore the fact that on Saturday, the Minister of the Interior and the prefect, with the agreement of those in political power, consciously played with the safety of 50,000 people who came to demonstrate joyously with their families, by letting the confrontations develop, encouraging inadmissable and revolting damages, to help the pro-aiport publicity, who are ready to do anything to save their outdated project.

Le Copain 44

Contacts du COPAIN44 : Vincent Delabouglise : 06.87.52.34.26 Dominique Guitton : 06.30.47.01.56 Jean-François Guitton : 06.98.90.46.04