Blockade, demonstration, what is the objective of the Ecologists?

“We are called eco-terrorists. We are simply anxious young people who act out of love for current and future generations”, this is what a young guarantor of the “Last renovation” activists to underline, this Wednesday, November 3 in front of the National Assembly. roads, degradation of public roads, demonstrations... The environmental activists of the "last renovation" group have been talked about a lot this month with a single goal: to raise awareness of global warming. These actions were carried out by young activists, which did not go unnoticed by the media. Putting global warming at the center of the debates is their primary objective, for this various actions have been carried out.

A very eventful month of November on the roads

This Wednesday, November 3, activists of the “last renovation” action gathered in front of the National Assembly to block traffic on the Quai d'Orsay. This decisive grouping allowed them to hold one of their planned action in a minimalist way. Shortly after the light turned red, the activists threw themselves to the ground in front of the stopped cars to form a solid block. Using superglue, the activists each stuck a hand to the ground to make the task much more laborious for law enforcement. This operation caused dozens of cars to be stopped for more than two hours this very morning and therefore indirectly the delay of several motorists to their work.

The very basis of any noise on the part of activists is the desire to be heard by the government and to make it understand a little more about the real issues of global warming. They also want a thermal renovation of all buildings in France by 2040. This improvement of buildings could also respond to other issues such as improving the quality of life of the French or even support purchasing power.

This action very quickly aroused the anger of many motorists who each of them came to try to clear the road in their own way. A few minutes later, the police intervened to fix the situation of the device.

This is obviously not the first grouping that environmentalists have carried out. From June 2022, this group will make itself known by blocking the ring road at Porte d'Italie. Like other gatherings, the police will intervene and evacuate the premises very quickly. One of the motorists was also questioned about his opinion of this situation. He explains that he is quite aware of this environmental subject but notes that this kind of action “is not going to solve anything”.

Axes like the A6 have experienced these blockages. The back-to-school day of Monday, November 7, experienced a similar situation. It took place in one of the busiest axes of the ring road which made the traffic very dense, and the passage practically impossible.

Several public figures showed their support. In particular the deputies of the Nupes of EELV: Cyrielle Chatelain, Sandrine Rousseau, Julien Bayou or even Éva Sas took part in this organization. They were also the source of the reform of the 12 billion euro financing project for the thermal renovation of housing. But measure 49.3 that the government will eventually put in place could call into question this financial reform.

“Obstruction of traffic” for activists

This embarrassment of the public highway is of course not without consequences. In the eyes of justice, these activists could pay dearly. Preventing the flow of traffic with any object is to risk two years in prison and 4800 euros in fines.

The highway code also stipulates: "Anyone guilty of one of the offenses provided for in this article also incurs the additional penalty of suspension, for a period of three years at most, of the driving licence, this suspension be limited to conduct outside the professional activity".

Under these circumstances, the deputies in committee have set up a fixed fine of 800 euros for the offense of obstructing road traffic.

But they are not the only ones who can get into big trouble, motorists who came to mediate with the militants in a violent way can also be punished. "Violence resulting in incapacity for work less than or equal to eight days or not resulting in any incapacity for work is punishable by three years' imprisonment and 45,000 euros", states the penal code. If the violence is aggravated the fine can go up to 100,000 euros with 8 years in prison.

Other actions to come?

The road disruption is only part of a minimal action that the activists have carried out since the latter have deployed more than 5O actions that they wish to carry out in the future. Disturbing public places such as airports, theaters or even pouring paint on a public place, inspiration is not lacking.

"There is rising violence because it is their future that is in question", this is what MP Sandrine Rousseau declared, openly claiming her support for this mode of practice. The latter even offers a solution and explains: "And today, rather than sending a plethora of gendarmes and police to intimidate these movements, let's listen to them".

The LJE team La Jeunesse Écolo