Thousands of environmentalists protested the artificial watershed construction project in the village of Sainte-Soline, France, arguing that it would favor large farms and harm the ecological balance.
A brawl broke out between the demonstrators and more than 3,000 police officers deployed for the demonstration. After the demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails and different objects at the security forces, the police responded with tear gas to the protesters.
On the other hand, the project is considered by some groups to be beneficial for efficiently using water.