Thousands of farmers in France are intensifying their protests against the government, ignoring police warnings and blocking major roads with convoys of tractors.
The protests, aimed at Paris, Lyon, and other locations, focus on demands for better pay, reduced bureaucracy, and protection against foreign competition. Farmers’ unions remain unimpressed by concessions from President Emmanuel Macron’s government. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has warned against entering key areas like the Rungis market, Paris airports, and city centers, with police ready to intervene.
Despite warnings, a convoy from the southwest continued towards the Rungis market, a crucial food distribution center for Paris. The government, under Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, has offered concessions and expressed readiness to resolve the crisis, but farmers find these inadequate.
As of Wednesday, about 10,000 farmers were protesting at 100 locations on major roads, including efforts to surround Lyon. In Toulouse, farmers’ attempts to blockade a food market were countered by the police. This wave of protests in France is part of a larger movement across Europe, with farmers from Spain, Germany, Poland, Romania, Belgium, and Italy planning to join in.
Reports on social media claim all roads in and out of Paris are now blocked in an effort to ‘starve Paris.’
PARIS – NOW! Operation ‘starve Paris’ is
Underway.All roads in and out are blocked by agricultural workers and farmers.
The stand off begins.
— Persephone (@persephvoice) January 31, 2024
Yes, it is looking grim now as the police even blocks small country roads and has also resorted to show up with heavy repression vehicules. Especially around Rungis, crucial for distributing food.
We support our farmers !!
Macron can decide of nothing as it is brussels who calls the shots.
Many voices are for getting out of EU.fascist.org