In Notre-Dame-des-Landes: The ZAD defeats an airport

A battle is won; the war continues …

In solidarity with the many groups and individuals who have fought for and created the ZAD of Notre-Dame-des-Landes, we share a common communique issued by the organisations involved:

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

Wednesday 17 January 2018

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” [Declaration of Public Utility] 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 long term management of the lands of the ZAD should be given over to the various actors of the struggle, in all of their diversity: farmers, naturalists, locals, groups, people that have lived here for a long time or have just joined us.

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 into 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.

(Posted at zad.nadir.org)

Two documentaries (in french) to tell the story of the ZAD …

For other articles on the ZAD’s of france, click here.  The Taranis News collective has, since 2012, provided excellent video coverage of the ZAD.

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