France: Common press release from the anti-airport movement following the government’s announcement

Common press release from the anti-airport movement following the government’s announcement

At lunchtime today, the government finally announced that the airport project located in Notre-Dame-des-Landes has been abandoned.

We do note that the “DUP” will not be extended. The project will definitely be null and void by February the 8th.

This is an historical victory against a destructive project. This was made possible thanks to a long mobilisation that has been both diverse and determined.

First of all, we’d like to sincerely thank everyone that mobilised against this airport project over the past 50 years.

As regard to the future of the ZAD, the whole movement would like to confirm the following points:

– The need for the farmers and people that were expropriated to recover their rights as soon as possible

– the refusal of any eviction of those who came here over the last few years to live and defend the place, and who wish to continue living here and look after the area.

– the will to let the various actors of the struggle (farmers, naturalists, locals, groups, people that have lived here for a long time or have just joined us) handle on the long term the land/fields of the ZAD.

To implement these measures, we need to put a hold on the institutional redistribution of the land. In the future, this place must remain a place of social, environmental and agricultural experimenations.

As far as the question of the reopening of the the D281 road is concerned, a road closed by the state in 2013, the movement will take take the matter in his own hands. A police presence or intervention could only create tensions.

On this memorable day, we would like to address a strong message of solidarity towards all the struggles set against other destructive projects that threaten territories.

We are calling on everyone to join us on the 10th of February to celebrate the abandoning of the airport project and to keep on building the future of the ZAD.

Acipa, Coordination des opposants, COPAIn 44, Naturalistes en lutte, les habitant-e-s de la zad.

Source: ZAD https://zad.nadir.org/spip.php?article5039