Between festive eco-activities and a hushed general meeting, TotalEnergies maintains the course of hydrocarbon development

An hour before the TotalEnergies general meeting was due to begin in La Défense, Europe's largest business district, this Friday, May 23, Extinction Rebellion activists attempted to organize a "counter-GA" on the highest point in Paris. On Montmartre Hill, the environmental activists' goal was to "meet people" in order to "discuss Total's policy" and "think about the ecological transition," a spokesperson for the movement explained. But as benches, tables, and small tents were being set up, Brav-M quickly intervened. The large "Energy General Meeting" banner, hung above the Sacré-Cœur fountains, was then removed by law enforcement officers, around forty activists were placed in a net, and their equipment was seized. Within about twenty minutes, there was almost nothing left in the square, apart from the surrounded activists. The counter-GA did not take place.

"We didn't go to the Total tower this year because there was a mind-boggling system there last year. But even for a small non-violent action, the police intervene like that," laments Thierry (1), who managed to escape the trap. The Scientists in Rebellion collective aimed to raise public awareness about "getting out of fossil fuels as quickly as possible." "We are here ten years after the Paris Agreements and Total is building new