Toulouse: Extinction Rebellion radical ecologists sabotage ATMs
The radical environmentalist group Extinction Rébellion claims the sabotage of twelve ATMs in Toulouse. These activists have targeted banking groups that “invest massively in fossil fuels”.
With the approach of the presidential elections, Extinction Rebellion Toulouse, local branch of the radical environmentalist movement, are multiplying happenings and punch actions. During the night of March 30 to 31, they would be attacked against the major banking groups (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole, Banque Populaire-Caisse d’Épargne).
These activists claim to have sabotaged ATMs in the center of Toulouse, particularly in the Saint-Cyprien district and avenue Camille-Pujol. Crédit Agricole indicates that “two to three of its ATMs have been taken out of service by third parties”. but declines to comment on the claims and sabotage action taken by Extinction Rebellion. With regard to BNP Paribas and Société Générale, the press services of these establishments explain that “verifications are in progress”.
The operation carried out by this far left movement (it also denounces the amount of bank charges) was “very compartmentalized” so that it is difficult for the police to identify all the perpetrators. According to the phraseology of Extinction Rebellion, this sabotage is akin to a “disarmament” of these banks, guilty, according to the organization, of investing massively in “oil, coal and shale gas”.
Future actions “more incisive”
The movement’s spokesperson explains why ATMs were targeted: “Distributors are the privileged point of contact between banks and their public. This action was not intended to make individuals feel guilty, victims of the system (…) In each targeted area, ATMs were left in operation, especially those of the least polluting banks. If ATMs were sabotaged, it is because this would have a real cost for the banks. Their condition should not be limited to with a swipe.”
Indeed, a few hours before, Extinction Rebellion Toulouse would have redecorated “in blood red” the windows of the BNP Paribas Bank rue de Metz. “We also have to put up large posters there according to the murderous practices of the financial group having a carbon footprint eight times greater than the whole of French territory”, he insists.
On March 26, members of this group marched through the city center wearing masks bearing the likenesses of presidential candidates to the song “Money” by Pink Floyd. Women in red carried coffins, and activists dressed as Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron threw blood-red paint on others dressed all in white…
The Extinction Rebellion spokesperson ensures that this resurgence of legal or illegal actions does not fit the electoral calendar. “Coming out of the liberticidal confinements, the Toulouse group started again with a vengeance. The activists have greatly increased their skills and we are more numerous. The stakes are not weakening in a political climate that is more than dangerous for our future. Thus, apart from any political calendar, our Toulouse branch is doing its part of the work and promises to meet the challenges with ever more incisive actions.”
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