Social movements often thrive on the characters who shape them. Cécile Lecomte, nicknamed “the squirrel”, is certainly one of them, both for the environmental movement and the disability movement.
ISL
On October 21, 2023, art broadcast a television report about the supposedly tireless activist under the slogan “Re: Resistance in a wheelchair: climbing activist Cécile”, which also reported on a campaign for accessibility on train travel to the Protest Day in May. October 5, 2023 in Berlin.
“Cécile Lecomte has been protesting against nuclear energy and for greater environmental protection for more than 20 years. She used to block the transport of nuclear waste with spectacular climbing actions. However, a rheumatic illness means she now needs a wheelchair. “But that doesn’t stop Cécile from continuing to climb bridges and trees to fight for her cause,” says the announcement of the 30-minute artistic film’s contribution.
“’Uncomfortable and creative’ is how French Cécile Lecomte, 41, describes herself and her protest. She is an activist with full conviction. In her political struggle she often goes beyond what is allowed. As a young woman, she repeatedly blocked the shipment of nuclear waste with high-profile escalation campaigns. Hence her nickname: ‘The Squirrel’.
She experienced how civil disobedience works as a child. Her mother is a teacher and took Cécile on her shoulders to strikes and protests as a child. But when she was young, Cécile began to feel pain in her joints. Doctors diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. The disease continues to progress. The pain means that Cécile is sometimes unable to get out of bed for days. “Sometimes I feel desperate because no one can help me,” says Cécile.
She tried for a long time to do without a wheelchair, but now uses it every day. But the illness doesn’t stop her from continuing to fight for her problems. Even in a wheelchair, she takes part in a disturbing operation in front of the nuclear fuel elements factory in Lingen.
She also continues to pursue her passion for climbing. She can pull herself up using a sort of pulley technique. ‘I’m afraid of the ground. On the other hand, in heights I am free.’ She also teaches this form of paraclimbing to others in wheelchairs in workshops. And she uses it for protests.
In Wolfsburg, Cécile wants to climb a bridge in a wheelchair to demonstrate more accessibility. However, the police are keeping an eye on them. Will the campaign be successful?” says the announcement of the 30-minute art piece about the activist, who is also the climate justice and sustainability spokesperson for the advocacy group Self-determined Living in Germany (ISL).
Link to arte television’s report on Cécile Lecomte from October 20, 2023