Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Tens of Thousands in France Say No New Airport!
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/02/22-1
Saturday's protest against the airport in Nantes.
Tens of Thousands in France Say No New Airport!
- Andrea Germanos, staff writer
Published on Saturday, February 22, 2014 by Common Dreams
Tens of thousands of protesters rallied in the western France city of Nantes on Saturday, fighting a new airport they say will cause environmental destruction and fly in the face of President Hollande's promises of a "green transition."
The new airport, described as a pet project of Prime Minister and ex-mayor of Nantes Jean-Marc Ayrault, has been contested for decades.
Among those present at Saturday's protest were farmers, including hundreds of tractors, environmentalists, trade union members, and those described as being "radicals." That fringe group was blamed for acts of violence during the protest, and was hit with water cannons and tear gas by police.
Construction is expected to start this year.
This tractor was ready for the protest with the placard, 'Vegetables not bitumen.'
