BREAKING - Cartel de Vin to support Guérilla Populaire

The GP releases a statement via 𝕏 that they will not stand down.

Président Moulin denounces the actions by ION services and vows that the people responsible for this conference will be brought to justice. Colonel Maçon, visibly furious, announces retaliatory measures against both the GP and the Cartel. ION services shares a short statement on 𝕏 (formerly known as twitter), calling for the release of their arrested staff.

After threats made by MP, the conference is disbanded ahead of time. While MP demands GP leaders be handed over, ION services blocks their entry with weapons raised. A civilian medevac helicopter picks up the leaders, including Blanchard. Most civilians in attendance flee the scene in the ensuing confrontation. No shots were fired, 24 arrests made, including some ION personnel.

In a surprise announcement, Robert Blanchard rescinds the Cartel’s support of the Republique. Calling it a ‘vote of no confidence’, the cartel partners have unilaterally agreed to support the GP with material and promising extensive protections for workers in their employ who wish to join the GP. The audience was audibly shocked at this announcement before breaking out in loud cheers after the announcement of the protections.

A scheduled speech by Robert Blanchard begins.

The mood changes as reports of MP approaching the conference location come in. ION services ultimately stops the intrusion by government forces, who insist on entry.

Jesus Larue, GP leader of Le Port, takes stage to thunderous applause by attendees. The former union leader describes the hardships that military police have been inflicting upon his workers, with a passion comparable to Juliette’s. While outwardly condemning the violence, he nevertheless appears understanding and ultimately accepting of the facts, citing parts of Le Port appearing ’noticeably safer’ under his militia.

Various GP leaders have introduced themselves by nom de guerre. They shared updates, outlooks and stories about their respective towns.

After a small delay, the conference opens with newly elected GP strategist Juliette Marie du Montange. After a passionate segment about her growing up on Malden, she turns her rhetoric onto Président Moulin and the Armée, with an especially seething appeal to Colonel Maçon. She ends with a cryptic message to the citizens to ‘[…] always keep your heads up high’, before leaving the small stage.

We arrive at the site. Chosen mostly by convenience rather than capacity, it nonetheless features a small stage and, according to workers on site, the conference will be televised and broadcast via radio. ION services provide armed security for the event, reportedly having been hired recently by the Cartel.