The Great European Farmers' Revolution is still ongoing, taking place in several countries simultaneously.
While each nationality has its own demands, farmers across the Old Continent are rejecting the EU's failed and obstructive “green” policies and regulations that are pushing farmers to the brink – and may end up causing artificial famine.
Watch: On Friday, tractor horns are deafening in Paris.
Friday: Deafening tractor horns in Paris. pic.twitter.com/wrG7emRkZ2
– Paul Serran (@paul_serran) February 24, 2024
After French farmers took hundreds of tractors into Paris and honked their horns in a deafening protest, mobilization today (24) focused on the politically charged Paris Agricultural Fair.
A group of farmers stormed the exhibition before President Emmanuel Macron arrived, and they were angry “On costs, bureaucracy and green regulations”.
In a direct confrontation with police officers inside the fair, farmers shouted and booed, demanded Macron's resignation, and used insults targeting the French leader.
Reuters reported:
“This is our homeland!” they shouted, as lines of French riot police sought to contain the demonstration. A Reuters witness saw that some clashes took place with the demonstrators, and the police arrested at least one of them.
Pascal Petit, one of the demonstrators, said he did not expect anything from Macron's visit. “This is our home and it welcomes us.” [general reserve police] He told Reuters.
Watch: French farmers forcefully storm the Paris Agricultural Fair.
French farmers storm the Paris Agricultural Fair. pic.twitter.com/nMtkW4iY1g
– Paul Serran (@paul_serran) February 24, 2024
Macron met with French farmer union leaders for breakfast, and then arrived at the trade fair.
“I say this to all the farmers: You don't help any of your colleagues by smashing the stands, you don't help any of your colleagues by making the parade impossible, and in some way you scare families away from coming,” Macron told reporters after meeting with union leaders.
Watch: Clashes between French farmers and the police inside the agricultural exhibition in Paris.
French farmers clash with police inside the agricultural exhibition in Paris. pic.twitter.com/AdBiu3rpd8
– Paul Serran (@paul_serran) February 24, 2024
A heated, impromptu discussion between Macron and the protesters ended up being broadcast live on French news channels.
“The Paris Farm Show — a major event in France, attracting some 600,000 visitors over nine days — is a political event, where presidents and their opponents are expected to interact with the public under intense media scrutiny.
The farmer protests, which have spread across Europe, have raised concerns in France and beyond about their political ramifications, given that they represent a growing far-right constituency and are expected to make gains in European Parliament elections in June.
Watch: Chaos erupts at an agricultural exhibition between farmers and the police.
Chaos broke out at the agricultural fair between farmers and the police. pic.twitter.com/1Byez2wsNp
– Paul Serran (@paul_serran) February 24, 2024
The arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron was met with boos and whistles.
The Associated Press reported:
Police deployed in full riot gear at the Paris agricultural fair to prevent them from approaching Macron, who had a meeting planned with the heads of France's main farmer unions.
Watch: Farmers chant: “Macron’s resignation”
Farmers chant: “Macron's resignation!” pic.twitter.com/MRWQ0lizq3
– Paul Serran (@paul_serran) February 24, 2024
Meanwhile, the demonstrators chanted slogans calling for Macron to “resign” and blew whistles to show their anger.
“We will not be able to respond to the agriculture crisis in a few hours,” Macron said. “It has taken months and years of work for those who come here to display their livestock and their work… This exhibition should go well and smoothly.”
[…] “Anger can be expressed,” Macron said, warning against any “violence.”
WATCH: Farmers show how much they love Brussels' diktat by ousting EU agricultural bid.
Farmers show how much they love Brussels' dictates by overthrowing the EU's agricultural bid. pic.twitter.com/VDzBEU1say
– Paul Serran (@paul_serran) February 24, 2024
Read more:
Peter Sweden: The matter is spreading – a massive farmer protest in Germany (video)
