Euronews Green followed members of Extinction Rebellion as they prepared to break into French chemical giant Arkema.
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00:00 So we are in Lyon and climate activists are about to take action against one of the most
00:12 polluting industrial sites here.
00:20 19 year old Miel is a member of Extinction Rebellion and today she's about to break the
00:32 law.
00:33 The target is the French chemical giant Arkema accused of releasing toxic chemicals into
00:39 nature.
00:40 It's not because it's illegal that we shouldn't do it.
00:44 It would be a dream to not have to act but it's just impossible because if we don't
00:49 act, who will?
00:50 The activist network uses civil disobedience to raise awareness about climate change.
00:58 And for Miel, the risks are worth taking.
01:01 The risks we take today are less than those of children born with malformations, contaminated
01:09 soils, a disappearing biodiversity.
01:14 Galia left her two children at home today to join the protest.
01:17 We are more and more activists, normal people, mobilizing with civil disobedience actions
01:26 like today because we don't hear each other.
01:29 It's time to go.
01:30 400 activists are protesting in the streets of the city of Miel.
02:00 Four hundred activists have traveled from across France according to Extinction Rebellion.
02:04 They each have different tasks.
02:07 Not everyone is prepared to risk police detention by going inside the chemical plant.
02:23 Fifteen minutes after breaking in, activists are escorted out of the premises by the police.
02:36 And the police's response is rather violent.
02:49 Although Miel stayed outside, she did not manage to escape.
02:53 A total of eight people are held in police custody for 48 hours according to the French
02:58 authorities.
02:59 But this action is not justified according to the director of the chemical plant.
03:18 8 p.m.
03:19 It's time to celebrate.
03:20 Before heading home, the group gathers for a drink.
03:24 For Thibault, a teacher from Paris, the outcome is rather positive.
03:38 But the actions of climate activists have attracted strong criticism.
03:42 Some describe them as eco-terrorism.
03:58 A glass in hand, activists are already thinking about the next move.
04:01 "No to the nuclear weapons!"
04:02 "No to the nuclear weapons!"
04:03 "No to the nuclear weapons!"
04:03 "No to the nuclear weapons!"
04:04 "No to the nuclear weapons!"
04:05 "No to the nuclear weapons!"
04:05 (crowd cheering)
04:08 [BLANK_AUDIO]