A day after Francofolia, La Rochelle usually finds the summer calm of tourist towns sure of their charm. Not so this year. This Wednesday afternoon, after an emergency meeting with traders, Jean-Francois Fountaine announced that the clearance sale planned for this weekend has been postponed by a week and that a small market at the foot of the Ferris wheel has been canceled altogether. &ldquo…
A day after Francofolia, La Rochelle usually finds the summer calm of tourist towns sure of their charm. Not so this year. This Wednesday afternoon, after an emergency meeting with traders, Jean-Francois Fountaine announced that the clearance sale planned for this weekend has been postponed by a week and that a small market at the foot of the Ferris wheel has been canceled altogether. “The protesters were able to find a bunch of small objects to throw,” explains the variously left-wing mayor.
Anti-basins, openly worried for the city since a mayor, these activists fighting against replacement reserve projects for agricultural irrigation, announced that they want to close the commercial port of La Rochelle, an economic platform classified for the high level of security required by Seveso. its industrial activity.
Prohibition order
In a press release, the collective No Beds Thank You and its partners explain that “the port, its profits and expansion are the source of the construction of the basins”, the main area for the export of the grains produced in the region. Wheat, barley or corn, which often require the use of agricultural irrigation to ensure the best yield.
Considering the possibility of a breach of public order, Charente-Maritime prefect Brice Blondel decided this Wednesday to ban the demonstration planned for July 16-21 as part of the armed actions organized from the town of Melle in Deux-Sèvres. By expanding the perimeter of the neighboring activity areas as well as the toll and the Île de Re bridge during this big weekend of tourist arrivals.
Nothing completely reassures the mayor of La Rochelle. “We know very well that the plan B of the demonstrators is to come downtown,” explains Jean-Francois Fountain. “It is not announced, but it is spread on social networks… Of course, I support the right to demonstrate, but I strongly condemn burning a bank or attacking a business! » The prefect and law enforcement agencies are working to avoid the worst.
Dozens of objects such as pétanque balls have already been seized between Melle and La Rochelle
But since Monday, tensions have been rising in a city that has so far been spared violent social movements, unlike in Rennes or Bordeaux, which still struggle to imagine black blocs sweeping the Old Port. However, the mayor notes that “excitement levels are rising.” The information that has reached us says that they may be numerous, perhaps a thousand in number, well organized and very violent. Some become true “professionals” at out-of-control demonstrations. » And to show that the gendarmerie inspections taking place these days between Melle and La Rochelle “have already allowed us to seize dozens of objects such as petanque balls. But they were able to bring equipment a few weeks ago… There is a real risk for the city center. »
On Friday, if fears are confirmed, a decision could be made to fold the terraces of the Old Port. This indicates whether the threat is taken seriously.