Montpellier‘s Upcoming Events: A Farmer’s Protest and So Much More!
Well, folks, buckle up! If you thought your week was packed with excitement and chaos, just take a look at what Montpellier has in store. From angry farmers protesting at the prefecture to tech-savvy hackers discussing their love for data protection, it looks like everyone is getting their voice heard!
Monday, November 18
Montpellier: The young and restless of the agricultural world will be rallying in front of the prefecture at 11 a.m. Who knew farming could be so… passionate? At 2 p.m., they’ll march off to the Esplanade de l’Europe for what I assume will be an equally riveting episode of “Angry Farmers: The Sequel.” Let’s hope the only thing they sow is awareness, rather than chaos!
Montpellier: Meanwhile, if you fancy a more constructive discussion, there’s a permanent office opening at the BIB Hackerspace. Between 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. at La Tendresse, come grab a drink, chat about IT issues, or learn why free software is a thing. Spoiler alert: It involves a lot less surveillance and a lot more privacy!
Tuesday, November 19
Nothing special on this day in the article, but I’ll just throw out a cheeky request: if anyone can teach me to make a mean ratatouille or provide me with a fresh baguette, that’d pair nicely with the whole “Angry Farmers” theme!
Wednesday, November 20
Montpellier: From 3:30 p.m. AJAP is hosting food distribution at the square du Père Bonnet. Breaking news – food will be distributed! That’s a pun intended. And Frontignan is screening the film “Parvana: A Childhood in Afghanistan” at 4 p.m. A lovely blend of heartwarming and heart-wrenching tale, and a snack? Well, I think we can all use a bit of popcorn while discussing childhood trauma!
Montpellier: The evening holds a special gathering for Trans Remembrance Day from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Let’s honor and remember with dignity; it promises to be a heartfelt event!
Thursday, November 21
Montpellier: 6:30 p.m. will see a presentation of collective struggles against data centers in Marseille. Join the fight and get some insights from the “Cloud Was Beneath Our Feet” collective. It’s as catchy as it is necessary! After all, who doesn’t love a good war story that involves having a potent social conscience?
Friday, November 22
Montpellier: It’s Technopolice festival time! Kicking off at 4 p.m., there will be a treasure hunt that’s allegedly “for all audiences.” Treasure hunts? Can farmers join too? If they find the hidden ‘grain’, we might just be onto something!
Later, join Félix Tréguer’s reverse conference because who doesn’t love a bit of irony in their surveillance discussions? And just when you thought it couldn’t get more absurd, Professor Hassan Bal is here with his comico-rap show titled
Saturday, November 23
The Technopolice festival continues with an action-packed lineup. Workshops on digital self-defense, political writings, poetry, and of course, the pièce de résistance – concerts! Dada rap and electro-blues. Sounds like a short trip to sensory overload! But remember, the real treasure is the friends we make along the way… and that inter-AESAE/AJAP canteen meal!
Sunday, November 24
Montpellier: The festival wraps up with activities like artivist workshops and even a Silly Walk through town. Brass bands will accompany this parade of questionable sanity. Who knows? Maybe that’ll make surveillance more entertaining!
To top it all off, let’s not forget the continued efforts against sexist and sexual violence with demonstrations in Montpellier and Béziers. A crucial reminder that while we may frolic through festivals, we also stand firm against very real issues. Be it angry farmers or tech rebels, one thing is for sure – people are busy making their voices heard! Now, who’s up for some ratatouille?
Mobilization of “angry farmers,” January 26, 2024, in front of the Montpellier prefecture, draws attention to the ongoing struggle of agricultural workers facing pressing challenges.
Monday November 18
Montpellier : A substantial demonstration organized by the Young Farmers and the FNSEA is set to take place. Farmers will converge at key crossing points, gathering at 11 a.m. in front of the prefecture and continuing their advocacy at 2 p.m. on Esplanade de l’Europe, demanding better support and policies for their livelihoods.
Montpellier : The permanent office of the BIB Hackerspace invites all interested parties to drop in and enjoy a drink or engage in discussions about IT issues in a collaborative atmosphere. This self-managed collective promotes free software and data protection, welcoming participants from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at La Tendresse, located at 80 impasse Flouch.
Wednesday November 20
Montpellier : AJAP will host an inclusive food distribution open to everyone, starting at 3:30 p.m. at the square du Père Bonnet in Figuerolles, reinforcing community support and solidarity amidst challenges.
Montpellier : A gathering will take place in memory of Trans Remembrance Day, scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Place Albert 1er, demonstrating commitment to honoring and remembering lost lives within the transgender community.
Montpellier : On the same evening, a Trans Day of Remembrance event will be held from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at 501 rue de la Métairie de Seysses, featuring a diverse program of food at free prices, readings, an open stage, and live music to celebrate resilience and remembrance.
Thursday November 21
Montpellier : A presentation focused on the collective fight titled “The Cloud Was Beneath Our Feet” will address concerns regarding data centers in Marseille. Attendees can look forward to feedback on the recent festival held on November 8, 9, and 10, 2024, at La Base association premises, 15 rue Chaptal. This event falls under the Technopolice festival, emphasizing struggles against mass surveillance.
Sète: Félix Tréguer will present his insightful book “Technopolice, Police surveillance in the age of artificial intelligence” at 7 p.m. at the Nouvelle Librairie Sétoise, 7, rue Alsace-Lorraine. This presentation also forms part of the Technopolice festival, highlighting resistance against pervasive surveillance measures.
Friday November 22
Montpellier : The day is dedicated to the Technopolice festival, focused on combating mass surveillance, taking place at the La Carmagnole association premises, 10 rue Haguenot. Numerous activities are planned, such as a treasure hunt entitled “Really Nice (VSA & suspicious behavior)” aimed at educating the public on ensuring a just society from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Following this, a presentation detailing the Technopolice and La Quadrature du Net initiative will take place from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and a reverse conference featuring Félix Tréguer will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. to engage attendees in pivotal issues surrounding surveillance practices in contemporary society.
Montpellier : The night segment of the Technopolice festival dedicated to struggles against mass surveillance will kick off at 11 p.m. at the BIB Hackerspace, allowing participants an immersive experience into ongoing dialogues about privacy and technology.
Saturday November 23
Montpellier : The Technopolice festival continues at the local association La Tendresse, located at 80 impasse Flouch. The day promises a range of engaging activities, from an introductory reception at 10 a.m. to a digital self-defense workshop centered around data protection from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Various sessions, such as a collective reading of “Move around – The city under surveillance” by Thomas Henbane and a stage open for political writings, poetry, and literature as resistance tools, will form part of the program. The day contributes to building a more informed and engaged community regarding surveillance issues.
Montpellier : A demonstration against sexist and sexual violence will commence at 2 p.m. at the iconic Place de la Comédie, uniting voices to demand justice and equality.
Béziers: Simultaneously, a rally against sexist and sexual violence will take place at 3 p.m. in front of the Theater, emphasizing the critical need for societal change regarding these issues.
Sunday November 24
Montpellier : The final day of the Technopolice festival will take place at the local association Le Quartier Généreux, located at 2 quai des Tanneurs. Highlights include the treasure hunt “Vraiment SympA (VSA & suspicious behavior)”, artivist workshops focusing on anti-facial recognition makeup, and collaborative meals at free prices amidst engaging community discussions. Participants will also partake in a Silly Walk accompanied by brass bands in the city center, culminating in a closing aperitif at La Base association premises from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Montpellier : AJAP will continue its commitment to the community with a food distribution open to all from 3:30 p.m. at the square du Père Bonnet in Figuerolles.
How will art be used to address contemporary social issues during the festival?
Interactive workshop on digital self-defense to political writing sessions, and a poetic evening that explores contemporary social issues through art. The festival will feature live performances, blending genres such as Dada rap and electro-blues—an exhilarating audio experience! With thoughtful discussions and creative expressions, this event is poised to offer both activism and entertainment, proving that serious topics can be addressed through a vibrant lens.
Sunday November 24
This is the grand finale of the Technopolice festival, featuring a collection of artivist workshops aimed at empowering participants to engage in activism through artistic expression. There will also be a whimsical Silly Walk parade through Montpellier, complete with the lively sounds of brass bands, creating a spirited atmosphere that brings communities together in protest against surveillance practices and for public awareness about privacy issues.
Additionally, focus remains on the ongoing battles against sexist and sexual violence, with demonstrations scheduled in Montpellier and Béziers. Such actions solidify the festival’s commitment to intersectional activism, highlighting the importance of raising awareness on multiple fronts—be it through art, community gatherings, or direct action. As the weekend wraps up, the enduring message springs clear: while we celebrate individual creativity and community, there is a pressing need to remain vigilant against the encroachments on our rights and freedoms. So gather your friends, dive into those culinary traditions, and let the voices of the people be heard—who’s ready to whip up some ratatouille for this vibrant cause?
