In Occitania, the anger of farmers is particularly strong. In Carcassonne, a building of the Regional Directorate for the Environment, Development and Housing (Dreal), empty and under construction, was blown away by an explosion. Two tags from the Viticultural Action Committee (CAV) were found on site.
“If no state agent was injured, significant material damage is to be deplored,” declared the prefect of Aude, in a press release, adding that “nothing can justify such acts of violence” . An investigation was opened for “damage by dangerous means to property belonging to another by an organized gang”.
Note that this violence has not yet been condemned by the government. There is “no question” of preventing the blockages, government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot stressed on Wednesday, affirming that they were “organized within a legal framework”, despite the offense of obstructing traffic. For his part, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin gave “great moderation” instructions to the prefects on Wednesday.