2023-09-21 19:13:50
Sunken cheeks, pale complexion, absent-mindedness and drawling speech… Marion, Olga, Reva, Matthieu, Victoria and Bernard have been on hunger strike for more than ten days. And, they say it and repeat it, they will only start feeding again if the construction site the A69 motorway between Castres and Toulouse is suspended.
The dean, Bernard, aged 68, has opposed the project for more than twenty-five years. This Thursday for his 10th day without eating, the retiree, former water treatment company manager, is keeping his strength up by demanding an immediate halt to the work while awaiting court decisions. This is the only condition for him to end his fast. Just like his comrades who stopped everything to concentrate on their fight. “If I have to die, I will. It’s my last resort,” Olga says with difficulty and at the end of her strength. At 21, the woman who began her hunger strike two weeks ago, while she was still in police custody for having tied herself to a moving construction machine, no longer has any other choice. . “I am under judicial supervision, so I cannot participate in the demonstrations,” admits the full-time activist, frail under her t-shirt.
Advance directives in the event of a problem
These “die-hards” have, for the moment, lost around five kilos and feel “diminished and weakened”, as the giant Reva explains. This arborist business leader from the Paris region, member of the National Tree Surveillance Group (GNSA), continues to carry the voice of the movement. At his side, the electrician Matthieu, who has been struggling since March and who did not think “that the project was going to succeed”. As a result, he joined the hunger strike movement for ten days.
Marion and Victoria, residents of the highway route, are parched by hunger, “the cold” and fatigue. Everyone can count on the financial assistance of the movement The way is clear and accommodation in a Toulouse association. A real collective, but “out of breath”. Because the group is worried about Thomas Brail, the best known of the “squirrels” who is still perched in the capital, in front of the Ministry of Transport, and whose “life is in danger” after 21 days of hunger strike. He could also embark on a thirst strike. “It’s possible,” confirms his comrades. “We will go to the end if necessary.” They are monitored by doctors and have even completed advance directives. ” In case ” …
A new appeal filed
Theoretically, this Thursday, the dialogue could have been resumed. The prefects, the elected supporters of the Tarn and Haute-Garonne project, and the regional president Carole Delga (PS) had accepted the principle of a meeting with the opponents. But the latter’s demands – a halt to the construction site and a publicized meeting – were not accepted. So they declined. “We take note of this decision and can only regret it. We remain open to dialogue,” responded the elected officials this Thursday evening.
On Wednesday, the opponents, who are also fighting in the courtrooms, filed a new appeal against the felling of “multicentenary” trees.
For those most passionate about the cause, the hunger strike continues and support is growing in number. Three residents of Burkina Faso have launched a hunger strike in support and solidarity fasts are taking place in front of the Toulouse Regional Hotel. Same thing in Paris, in front of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, every evening at 7 p.m.
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