Chief Ecologist Marine Tondelier asked Gérald Darmanin on Monday to consider resigning following the publication of a video about maintaining order during a demonstration in Sainte-Soline (Deux-Sèvres) as he is Minister of the Interior and currently Guardian of the Seals while a judicial investigation is open.
Médiapart and Libération published video last week of body-worn cameras used by police mobilized on March 25, 2023 around the construction site of a contested agricultural water reserve, nicknamed the “megabasin,” by thousands of demonstrators.
In particular, we hear police encouraging “strict firing” of grenades, a banned practice, against demonstrators and others who congratulate themselves on the injuries inflicted.
“I am waiting for a reaction from the then Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin. He refused to comment to the press. This is unacceptable,” Marine Tondelier said late Monday on social media. Like other elected environmental activists, he was present at this demonstration.
A meeting that has gone downhill
“Some environmental MPs contacted the Rennes prosecutor who handled the case (…) But Gérald Darmanin, who is now Minister of Justice, is now his hierarchical superior,” added the environmental leader, who is also a candidate in the next presidential elections.
“For peace of mind regarding the possible legal consequences of such disclosure, we ask that if he is unable to provide an explanation or apology, he resigns,” he added.
The Sainte-Soline rally, which was banned, turned into clashes between radical activists and police, with 5,000 grenades fired and a hail of stones and Molotov cocktails. The demonstrators have announced 200 injuries in their ranks, including 40 seriously, and 45 police.
Current Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the “words” and “gestures” made by police and seen on video, but he denied the term “police violence.”
“I will never allow the internal security forces to be criticized and you know very well that facts like these are serious, I agree, (…) always allow some people to criticize in general the police or gendarmerie institutions,” the minister said on Thursday.
