ZAD on the Mormont hill, Luca Pattaroni's point of view
© ZAD Mormont
In an interview on RTS La 1ère's 12.30 news on 31 March, Luca Pattaroni, a doctor in urban sociology at the EPFL, talks about the occupation and evacuation of the zadists on the Mormont hill near La Sarraz.
Background information:
The Zone à défendre_ZAD is located on the Mormont hill near Éclépens and La Sarraz in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. By their occupation, the ZAD activists, a premiere in Switzerland, intend to prevent the extension of the quarry of the Lafarge-Holcim cement factory.
The zadists denounce the exploitation of this hill, which is known to be a unique site, both in terms of its biodiversity and its history. In 1998, the hill was listed in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes, Sites and Natural Monuments of National Importance. This area of dry grassland is home to a great diversity of plants, including several varieties of orchids, most of which are protected. Archaeological excavations have also established that the Mormont hill was the site of a Helvetian cult.
Started in October 2020, the ZAD was evacuated by the Vaud cantonal police on 30 March 2021. The police deployed around 600 people for this large-scale operation.
In this interview, Luca Pattaroni notes that, through their action and commitment, the Zadists have undoubtedly contributed to opening the eyes of citizens to this eminently important cause. He also points out that if there has been no criminalisation of the Zadists' action, it is because their commitment, which is close to that of professionals in the area, is in line with the interests of research and with a fairly widely shared ecological sensitivity. In addition, various political figures and several associative movements identify with this ZAD, which gives it an undeniable legitimacy.
