"Unions of opposition and mutual support"

In the heart of France, a new movement known as "Soulevements de la Terre" (Rising of the Earth) has taken shape. Founded in 2021, this eco-movement focuses on class issues, particularly the conflict between small farmers and the agricultural industry.

The movement, an alliance of small farmers, environmental groups, and climate activists, has targeted projects like the construction of large water reservoirs for industrial agriculture and companies such as France's largest cement producer, Lafarge. Soulevements de la Terre sees these companies as a main problem for the people in specific territories, contributing to environmental destruction and social inequality.

Soulevements de la Terre is involved in the "Block Everything" movement, but does not organize the protests. Instead, they call for solidarity. The "Block Everything" initiative, reminiscent of the Yellow Vest protests of 2018/2019, was started collectively by various grassroots groups without publicly identified leaders, emerging mainly from the Telegram app and social media. It includes diverse groups with ideological roots ranging from conservative sovereignist to radical left, such as "Les essentiels" and "Indignons-nous".

The mobilization for this action began on social media and did not involve parties or unions. Preparatory meetings for the "Block Everything" action are being held in numerous cities. In Nanterre alone, 500 people participated. The mobilization goals of Soulevements de la Terre depend on concrete proposals from the meetings.

Soulevements de la Terre advocates for civil disobedience, including the public destruction of facilities or machinery. However, they also believe that right-wing extremist beliefs can be broken down through everyday social contacts, not just street mobilizations. In line with this, they have organized actions with logistics center workers and migrant construction workers against Lafarge. They believe in forming alliances and getting rooted locally to build counter-power.

The movement considers extractivism, the exploitation of natural resources, to be the essence of capitalism. In light of the current situation, Soulevements de la Terre sees the need to become more anti-fascist and connect more closely with social struggles.

The announced austerity measures by the Bayrou government have led to a planned "block everything" action in France on September 10th. The Bayrou government is likely to fall next week, and Soulevements de la Terre is concerned about the potential rise of the extreme right.

Soulevements de la Terre believes that social inequality is a major factor in environmental destruction. They argue that the struggles of small farmers are about defending their way of life against the extractive, industrial model. By taking a stand against corporations like Lafarge, they aim to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.