A rally in support of “anti-basins” took place near the Niort courthouse this Thursday, July 27. Four activists are summoned at the very beginning of the afternoon before the court for having participated in the illegal demonstration in Sainte-Soline on March 25th.
No car can approach the steps of the court. Security barriers, guarded by police, were put in place at midday near the Niort courthouse, because several calls for a rally were launched, among others by the collective “Bassines non merci”.
The demonstrators were confined behind the barriers • © Stéphane Bourin (France Télévisions)
Since 1:30 p.m., four anti-basin activists have been on trial for their participation in the prohibited demonstration in Sainte-Soline (79) on March 25.
Among those called to the bar today, Loïc Schneider, a figure of ecological activism, is currently in pre-trial detention. He is notably accused of his presence at the demonstration, of having tagged a vehicle and the collection of a gendarmerie vest.
To questions from the court asking him to recognize himself in a photo of a disguised protester taken during the rally last March, he replied: “You won’t know who the monk is until we know the names of those who injured Serge.“. (Editor’s note: Serge is the activist who was most seriously affected during the clashes with the police near the Sainte-Soline basin, and hospitalized for several months).
The young man faces seven years in prison. One of the leaders of the collective “Bassines non merci” denounces unjustified treatment.
At his side, three men, aged 25, 26 and 27, must answer for preparation of violence against people, destruction or damage to property and concealment of aggravated theft.
Among the demonstrators mobilized in support this Thursday, is among others present Julien Le Guet, the leader of the sling against the irrigation reservoirs in Deux-Sèvres.
There is a real desire on the part of the government today to be in a process of repression at all costs. And in the face of that, there is a citizen resistance which demands justice and which will give itself the means to obtain this justice.
Julien Le Guet
Spokesperson for Bassines no thank you
He also, like Loïc Schneider in his responses to the court, alluded to the judicial treatment of police officers, hoping that there would be no two-speed justice.
Police officers must be litigants in the same way as citizens. And citizens should be treated with the same consideration as police officers.
Julien Le Guet
Spokesperson for Bassines no thank you
The hearing is still in progress at the end of the day.
Another “legal meeting” in connection with Sainte-Soline, on September 8, for five union officials.
video duration: 00h02mn01s
Report by Estelle Farge, Stéphane Bourin and Philippe Ritaine • ©France Télévisions
#VIDEO #Solidarity #activists #SainteSoline #Niort
