Free the YOLOs! A Creative Stand Against the A69 Environmental Disaster
On June 9th, 2024, at 11:55 AM, an absurd event unfolded in Puylaurens - parking church, France.
The CRS (French riot police) seized 17 of my YOLO sculptures, known for their embodiment of peace, tolerance, and resistance to all forms of discrimination. These harmless symbols of harmony were unjustly taken from near the site of a protest against the A69 highway project in Puylaurens, a project that poses a significant environmental threat.
The Absurd Seizure
The YOLOs were labeled as “prohibited objects” and absurdly deemed potential weapons under an administrative order (arrêté préfectoral). These peaceful sculptures are now being held at the Castres gendarmerie, where they face the threat of destruction if not retrieved within 30 days. This unjust seizure is not just an attack on art but an attack on the values of tolerance and environmental justice that also the YOLOs represent.
Why the A69 Project is an Environmental Disaster
The A69 project plans to construct a highway between Castres and Toulouse, but it has faced widespread opposition due to its severe environmental impact. The Tarn prefecture reports that the construction will affect 420 hectares, including 316 hectares of farmland, and will lead to the destruction of thousands of trees and extensive forested areas. The construction of the A69 highway will impact a diverse range of protected species, animals and plants.
A Call to Action
I refuse to let this ridiculous and unjust confiscation go unnoticed. I am planning a public, humorous, and political action when I go to bail out my sculptures from the Castres gendarmerie. This event will not only highlight the absurdity of the situation but hopefully also draw attention to the critical need to oppose the A69 project.
Join Me in Freeing the YOLOs!
I am calling on all anarcho-journalists, environmental activists, and supporters of justice to join me in this creative protest. Together, we can turn this absurd situation into a powerful statement against environmental destruction and the suppression of peaceful protest.
The exact dates will follow
Support: If you have legal expertise, please help me explore options to challenge this absurd detention.