Balan (Ain), eastern France : Sabotage at the petrochemical plant

Code name: Operation cold sweat
Objective : Paralyze the petrochemical plants in Balan (Ain)
Location: South-east of Dombes, 3.5 km from the plants
Action window: Rising moon, last week of May 2023
Method used: Sawing and then knocking down a pylon of the high-voltage line (63 kv) supplying the target site.

Anticipated risks :
– Dangers associated with this type of sabotage action (consult manuals for details).
– Plants classified as SVESO (industrial risk): any power cut triggers an automatic shutdown and the intervention of firefighters stationed on site.
– Close to the Gendarmerie and the Valbonne military base.

Additional difficulties :
– Action subject to favorable weather conditions (clear nights, low humidity, absence of strong winds)
– Dropping the pylon onto the cables of the parallel line (the Balan site is supplied by a 63 kv double line)
distance between lines = 16 metres
tower height = 23 metres

Equipment: hacksaws, blades, improvised ram to bring down the pylon

Sequence of events: After making the cuts with the handsaws, the team tackled the tricky and noisier phase. Numerous blows of the ram were necessary to finally bring down the pylon. We were able to withdraw from the scene of the action unhindered.

Of note: The ecstatic joy we felt when the pylon fell.

Further comments: Eternal pollutants from polymer production. Continents of plastic floating in the oceans, decimating marine life. Entire territories condemned to serve as open-air garbage dumps. Cancers and diseases caused by the pollution generated by petrochemical processes. This is the face of the world resulting from the rise of petrochemicals and globalized industrial society.

For the beauty and splendor of the living, for wild nature and an autonomous, self-determined life!

Translated by Act for freedom now!

18/09/2023